The sun is shining, the birds are chirping. Summer鈥檚 longer days and warmer temperatures make for fun and free running. There鈥檚 just one problem: The heat can sap your running performance and enjoyment. Choosing the right apparel in summer鈥攊n the same way you bundle up in winter鈥攃an make the conditions not only bearable, but fun.

In this season, we need running shirts that slip on effortlessly when we鈥檙e still half-asleep in the morning, and float on our skin when we鈥檙e cramming in a tempo workout on a sticky afternoon. We searched for, and found, the best women鈥檚 running tops鈥攖-shirts and tanks鈥攖hat can handle the challenges of summer while making us look good and feel cool.

Update May 2025: We selected new running tops in all but one category, carrying over the perennially popular Tracksmith Session Tee. We also added objective lab measurements on air permeability and dry time to help you select the best summer running shirt for you. Be sure to check out the 鈥淗ow We Test鈥� section below for more details on our methodologies and how to interpret the lab data.

At a Glance

• Best Tee for Hot Weather Running:
• Best Tank for Hot Weather Running:
• Best Raceday Tank:
• Most Versatile Tank:
• Most Versatile Tee:
• Best Value:
• Best Trail Running Tank:
• Best Trail Running Tee:
• Softest Tank:
• Softest Tee:
• What to Look For
• How We Tested Running Tops In the Field and the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab
• Meet Our Lead Testers

How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Best T-Shirt for Hot Weather

Craft Pro Hypervent Running Tee 2.0

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely lightweight
鈯� Seamless comfort
鈯� Shows sweat

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

In summer heat, a shirt that feels barely there and still provides shoulder coverage is a Godsend, and the Craft Hypervent Tee 2.0 delivers. It鈥檚 made of a super-lightweight recycled polyester/elastane blend that isn鈥檛 the fastest drying or airiest but is silky smooth against the skin with a mesh back that breathes well while still shielding us from the sun. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great for summer heat because it鈥檚 so lightweight鈥攊t flitters like an aspen leaf,鈥� raved a tester.

Taped seams at the neck and sleeves are comfortable (no chafing) and add to the shirt鈥檚 feminine silhouette. The sleeves are cut longer than regular tees and add coverage, while the raglan design allows unrestricted arm movement. 鈥淣o seams is a huge plus for me,鈥� said a tester who also loved the lack of a papery tag rubbing the back of her neck. 鈥淭his was a shirt I didn’t have to think about while running,鈥� said another.

Best Tank for Hot Weather

Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Tank

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely lightweight
鈯� Minimal branding allows versatility
鈯� Runs large

Lab Dry Time: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

We loved the feel of this tank for everything from warm-weather runs in Colorado to high-humidity hikes in the Caribbean. Testers described the recycled polyester Capilene Cool fabric as 鈥渆xtremely lightweight鈥� and said it helped them 鈥渕aintain comfort while sweating.鈥� The thin fabric dries quickly, a bonus in summer heat, whether on the run, during water sports like stand-up paddleboarding, or when traveling.

Like most Patagonia apparel, the fit of this tank runs a little large, but we liked the relaxed shape. It鈥檚 one tester鈥檚 go-to shirt while wearing compression-style bootie shorts. 鈥淚 like the coverage of the longer cut,鈥� she said. We also loved the versatility of the tank鈥檚 styling鈥攖he only visible branding is a tiny Patagonia tag at the bottom seam, so it doesn鈥檛 look overly athletic and out of place off the trail.

Best Raceday Tank

Hoka Airolite Run Tank

Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Airy fabric and cut
鈯� Fabric is rated 40+ UPF
鈯� Higher neckline provides coverage
鈯� Can creep up under a pack

Lab Dry Time: 2 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

This tank is ready for race day with a highly breathable material and a slim fit that stays out of the way of an arm swing. We love the airy feel of the super lightweight pinhole mesh combined with an even-more-open mesh panel on the upper back鈥搕he whole tank breathes fantastically. It鈥檚 thin, super lightweight, and feels cool against the skin. 鈥淚 definitely noticed it helped keep me feeling cooler and dry even when sweating heavily in higher temps,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淚t feels very performance-oriented,鈥� said another. In the lab, it scored the highest mark for air permeability among all shirts tested. The fabric is so light that it crept up a bit while we tested it under a hydration vest, but it stays perfectly put on its own.

Most Versatile Tank

Brooks Luxe Tank

Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Super soft
鈯� Minimal branding
鈯� Underarm seams slightly rub (but not chafe)

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 2 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

This soft, breathable, minimally branded tank looks so good we鈥檝e worn it casually to run errands around town, but the stylishness doesn鈥檛 compromise how well it feels and moves on the run. The cut is slightly long and loose, which makes it comfortable, flattering, and adds to its versatile appeal鈥攊t can work both tucked in or left out. 鈥淪o soft and breathable,鈥� said a tester, while another marveled at how lightweight the material felt against her skin.

A couple testers noted the underarm cut was a tad high, making the non-flat seams rub their armpits, but it was more of an irritation than a run-ruining situation鈥攏o chafing. But that was easy to overlook given the tank鈥檚 versatility. 鈥淭his tank is great to layer under a long sleeve for a morning run when it starts cool and will warm up,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚 also love it for a short run, when it can double as a casual tank to run errands in before or after.鈥�

Most Versatile Tee

Tracksmith Session Tee

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Soft and Stretchy
鈯� Runs slightly large

Lab Dry Time: 1 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 2 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

We鈥檝e used this as a go-to running tee and an all-day tee鈥攚earing it casually throughout the day then on an evening run. One tester even slept in it. Made of 84 percent polyester and 16 percent spandex, the Session Tee is exceptionally stretchy. It鈥檚 also finished with an odor-resistant treatment that seems to work: We鈥檝e worn it for multiple runs without washing and swear that we鈥檙e not offending trail partners. (They concur.) The Session Tee dries slower and is less airy than other high-performance tops鈥攕o it isn鈥檛 the best choice for the hottest days鈥攂ut makes up for that in soft comfort and style.

鈥淚鈥檓 in love with everything about this shirt: the fit, the fabric, the performance,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淚t felt like a hang out shirt that I could run in!鈥� another raved, 鈥淚 forgot about this shirt during the run because it was so comfy and has the most perfect fit!鈥�

Best Value

2XU Aero Singlet

Sizes: XXS-XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight and breathable
鈯� Reflective detailing
鈯� Can feel loose around the midsection (this can also be a positive)

Lab Dry Time: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

It鈥檚 hard to find well-functioning running apparel under 40 bucks, but this tank delivers. Its lightweight, sweat-wicking front (a double-knit recycled polyester), combined with a super-breathable mesh back kept us cool for all our summer running. 鈥淭his tank wicked sweat away, didn鈥檛 chafe, and was very comfortable in warmer temps,鈥� said a tester.

The simple cut provides a bit more coverage on the backside than traditional racerback tanks, and has a looser fit around the middle. Some felt it to be too baggy at the waist and loose on the lower back while others liked the flowy feel. Reflective details add safety in dusk and dawn light.

鈥淭he lightweight fabric throughout seems inherently breathable,鈥� said one who also praised how quickly sweat dried. 鈥淭he fabric is slightly textured as opposed to just one single layer which seemed to encourage even more airflow, and it dried quickly,鈥� said another. The lab confirmed the testers observations: this tank had the best combined performance scores of all the tops we tested.

Best Trail Running Tank

Arc鈥檛eryx Norvan Tank

Sizes: XXS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide shoulder straps work well under a pack
鈯� Lightweight, airy, and quick-drying
鈯� 80 bucks is a lot for a tank

Lab Dry Time: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 2.5 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Some tank shoulder straps can start to rub underneath a hydration vest or traditional running pack straps, but not the straps on this one. A wider cut at the shoulders stayed flat and in place under a pack during hours of mountain running in Colorado鈥檚 Indian Peak Wilderness.

This is a looser-fitting tank, which we loved for its forgiving fit all around and slightly longer cut. The material鈥攁 softer polyester frontside with a meshy backside鈥攆eels great against the skin, breathes well, and dries quickly (the fastest-drying of all the tops here, according to the lab). All seams remained comfortable over hours of wear as well鈥攏o chafing here.

Best Trail Running Tee

Black Diamond Distance SS Tech Tee

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely lightweight, breathable, and quick drying
鈯� Zero irritation over long wear
鈯� Not as cottony feeling as some others

Lab Dry Time: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

We鈥檝e worn this tee under a pack over multi-day runs from hut to hut in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, as well as on multiple short runs around the Boulder Foothills and neighborhood suburbs. This shirt performs: It鈥檚 super-quick-drying, moisture-wicking, highly breathable polyester jersey material with a 鈥淨uick Dry鈥� finish that never feels bogged down with sweat. The Anti-Odor finish also proved effective鈥攄id we mention that multi-day, multi-wear hut trip? We got no complaints from our running mates. Flat lock seams, a flat hem, and lack of a tag add to overall comfort, as does this shirt鈥檚 ridiculously lightweight feel on the body.

鈥淟oved the material. It’s loose, super ventilated and fits well throughout,鈥� raved a tester. 鈥淓xcellent performance,鈥� said another.

Softest Tank

Rabbit EZ Tank

Sizes: XXS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Super soft and comfortable
鈯� Bonded seams
鈯� Runs small (size up!)

Lab Dry Time: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 2 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Talk about buttery soft. This tank is made from the brand鈥檚 recycled polyester/spandex blend that feels like your favorite old cotton t-shirt, softened in the wash after decades of use. But unlike cotton, this material dries quickly after being soaked in sweat. While the material might not be as breathable as some other techier-feeling tanks or tees in this roundup, it feels fantastic on the skin and still performs even when damp. 鈥淭he softness and overall comfort made up for the lack of breathability,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淚t’s become one of my favorites. It’s just very 鈥榚z鈥� to wear.鈥� We find ourselves reaching for this tank, and the Rabbit EZ Tee, for lounging; it鈥檚 that comfortable.

Bonded seams around the armholes and neckline remained soft and proved irritation-free for our team of testers.

Softest Tee

Oiselle Flyout Boxy Short Sleeve

Sizes: 2-14

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great combo of style and function
鈯� Great range of sizing
鈯� Takes longer to dry than some

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

This comfortable, functional tee converted more than one non-crop-top-wearing tester into big fans. The polyester/lyocell/spandex fabric felt fantastically soft next to the skin and kept us dry when we sweat鈥攖he fabric effectively moves moisture to the outer layer where it evaporates. (While the sweat doesn鈥檛 stay against the body, it does seem to remain on the shirt鈥檚 fabric for longer than some quick-dry materials.)

The boxy, crop-style cut adds airflow. We loved it when paired with high-rise thin tights on warm runs and appreciated the cut for gym workouts. 鈥淚 liked how I could see my toes in a plank!鈥� said one.

How To Choose a Running Top

When it comes to summer running clothes, look for comfort, breathability, moisture-wicking, and a chafe-free fit.

Comfort

Aside from chafe-free seams and a cut that allows full arm movement without restriction, consider how the tank or tee makes you feel. Are you comfortable wearing the top both on a run and stopping for coffee afterward? Are you looking for a tank that makes you feel fast on raceday? Do you want a tee that also makes you feel comfortable鈥攂oth in function and style鈥� in the gym?

Materials

Breathable, sweat-wicking materials are essential, as is how the material feels against your skin. While some fabric blends prioritize breathability and quick-drying, others provide a more cottony feel鈥攖he latter sometimes stay wet from sweat longer than the prior, but the tradeoff is sometimes worth it. All tops in this round up perform great on the run.

Fit

The fabric, cut, and seam placement should not restrict your arm movement or your breathing. The best-fitting tops let you forget that you鈥檙e wearing them. Some will fit looser or boxier around the middle, while some have a more streamlined fit. Consider what you鈥檙e after and shop from there. (Our guide describes the fit of each top.)

Tanks vs Tees

T-shirts provide more coverage and therefore more sun protection, and they can also deliver more of a cooling effect, depending on the fabric and fit. Tank tops are typically less restricting and more breathable, because of their lack of sleeves. That doesn鈥檛 mean all tank tops have freedom of movement. Some fit more streamlined around the midsection than others, while some are looser. The looser ones tend to allow airflow, while the more narrow silhouettes depend on their fabrication for breathability. In addition to fit, consider how much skin exposure and coverage you鈥檙e comfortable with, and how the tank interacts with your sports bra and running vest, if you鈥檒l be wearing one. And consider all the settings where you鈥檒l want to wear the top, both athletic and casual.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 8
• Number of products tested: 75
• Number of miles logged while testing: 2,500

We tested as many different shorts, tanks, tees, and other kinds of summer apparel (like sun shirts and crop tops) as we could get our hands on between June and October 2024, with an eye toward products that would be new to consumers in 2025. Our testers ranged in age from 20 to 40, each with more than a decade of running experience and at least one ultramarathon under their belt. We evaluated products by comfort first, followed by style, utility (ability to multitask as casual wear was a big plus), and durability. We also compared the new shirts to those test in the previous year and retained any that were still available and performed better than anything new in their categories.

How We Tested Running Shirts in the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Air Permeability

Air permeability is a measure of how much air (in volume) is able to move through a fabric. It is not the same as “breathability” which measures how moisture vapor (sweat) moves through a fabric. The more air permeable, the more the cooling breeze makes it through your shirt and reaches your skin directly. To test this in the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab @ CU Denver, we use a James Heal AirPro, a machine that uses a vacuum pump to pull air through fabric clamped between plates with a specific diameter opening to measure the flow rate at a pre-set pressure. The greater the volume of air getting through, the more air permeable. This lab test only evaluates the material itself, and can’t account for how the cut and design of a garment aids its airiness.

Dry Time

The lab tested drying time by soaking each shirt and then recording how long each needed to dry. Each shirt was weighed while dry, then soaked in tap water until all of the material had absorbed water. After soaking, they were hand wrung until all excess water stopped releasing from the fabric, leaving a fully saturated, but not soaked, shirt. The saturated shirts were weighed again to get the “wet” starting point and then put on a mannequin to dry. Weight was recorded every hour to start and then every 15 minutes as they approached dryness, stopping when the sample was within 4 percent of the original dry value. Allowing for 4 percent of weight gain (a few grams) takes into account any dirt particles that could be introduced from the tap water or environment, and small hemmed areas of the shirt that may hold a little moisture, even though the overwhelming majority of the shirt is dry.

We compiled the raw data into groups of similar values for each measure to obtain scores of 1 to 5, worst to best, relative to all the t-shirts and singlets tested.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Lisa Jhung writes, runs, and generally adventures from her homebase in Boulder, Colorado. Raised as a California beach kid, she also makes it back to the coast鈥攁ny coast, but primarily the Pacific鈥攁s often as possible. She鈥檚 been testing gear for 国产吃瓜黑料 for a couple of decades and co-manages the road and trail running shoe tests, and maanages the women鈥檚 running apparel, sports bras, and running hydration vest tests.

The post The Best Running Shirts and Tank Tops for Women: Field and Lab Tested appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Running during the summer can be exhilarating (all that daylight!) and daunting (all that sweat!) at the same time. Whether you embrace the heat and humidity of summer running or long for a return to cold, dark winter days, the right running top can keep you cooler and drier while making you feel fast and fashionable. To help you decide what to wear, we tested over 50 t-shirts and tank tops to find the best men’s summer running shirts.

Update May 2025: We selected new winners in nine categories, including a new best overall t-shirt pick from Arc鈥檛eryx. We also added objective lab measurements on air permeability and dry time to help you select the best summer running shirt for you. Be sure to check out the 鈥淗ow We Test鈥� section below for more details on our methodologies and how to interpret the lab data.

At a Glance

• Singlets
  • Best Overall:
  • Runner-up, Best Overall:
  • Best Splurge:
  • Best for Race Day:
• T-Shirts
  • Best Overall:
  • Runner Up, Best Overall:
  • Best Value:
  • Best Splurge:
  • Best Wool:
  • Best for High Heat:
  • Best Road-to-Restaurant:
• What to Look For
• How We Tested Running Shirts In the Field and In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Running Singlets

How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Best All-Around

Adidas Adizero Running Singlet

Sizing: XS-2XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Silky smooth feeling
鈯� Suburb mobility
鈯� Saturates with moisture easily

Lab Dry Time: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 1 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

There’s something about a light, airy singlet that makes us feel fast. No other singlet captured this sensation better than the Adidas Adizero Running Singlet. Made from a thin, lightweight blend of 86 percent recycled polyester and 14 percent elastane, the texture feels phenomenal鈥攕mooth and silky, easily moving over the skin. Testers praised its soft touch and barely-there sensation, with one noting it as 鈥渢he lightest and most comfortable singlet I鈥檝e ever worn.鈥�

The fit is slightly slim, but thanks to the stretchy fabric and side slits at the hem, the singlet offers exceptional mobility. Lead tester Cory Smith says, 鈥淚鈥檓 typically between a men鈥檚 small and medium, but since I prefer a slightly looser fit, I went with a medium that fit that bill perfectly.鈥�

The entire singlet has tiny holes in the face to enhance breathability of the tight weave, which testers said let moisture out, but the lab noted doesn鈥檛 allow much breeze through. Testers also said that the fabric tends to stick to the skin when fully soaked through. It did, however, have the fastest dry time among all the singlets we tried, which helped make this stylish, comfortable singlet stand out as one of the best all-around.

Runner Up, Best Overall

Hoka Airolite Run Tank

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredibly light
鈯� UPF 40+ sun protection
鈯� Semi-transparent

Lab Dry Time: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

With its silky smooth texture and featherlight feel, we found ourselves reaching for the Hoka Airolite Tank time and time again. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 find a single thing to ding this tank on鈥擨 love it,鈥� raved one tester. Crafted with a pinhole mesh, composed of 72 percent recycled nylon and 28 percent elastane, it was one of the thinnest and most delicate tops we tested, making it disappear on the run.

The featherlight fabric wicks moisture efficiently but can become saturated quickly. However, thanks to its minimal weight, even when it was clingy, it never felt heavy or weighed down. In the lab, the Airolite achieved the highest score in air permeability and second highest in dry time. Naturally, its ultra-light design raised concerns about durability. However, after months of wear and repeated washes, one tester was pleasantly surprised by how well it held up.

The tank is 鈥渃ut is long and slim, with just the right width and length of shoulder straps,鈥� noted a tester. One potential drawback is its semi-transparent fabric, but, despite that, we were pleasantly surprised to discover it offers UPF 40+ sun protection. As an added bonus, it鈥檚 treated with an anti-microbial finish鈥攕omething we didn鈥檛 notice in testing but is nice to know it鈥檚 there.

With its smooth texture, near weightless design, and added sun protection, the Hoka Airolite Tank delivers on both comfort and performance. While its ultra-thin, see-through design may not be for everyone, those who prioritize weightlessness and freedom of movement will find it hard to beat.

Best Splurge

Tracksmith Strata Singlet

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unbeatable heat and moisture management
鈯� Odor resistant
鈯� Costs twice as much as many other well-made singlets

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Tester Scott Douglas says, 鈥淭his ultralight marvel is the best singlet I鈥檝e run in during my 40+ years in the sport.鈥� The fit is slim but not restrictive, with plenty of stretch. The bluesign-certified nylon/elastane blend incorporates coldblack, a Schoeller Textil technology that reduces heat absorption like nothing else he鈥檚 experienced. As someone who can lose 5 of his 130 pounds on an easy hour run in Maine, he says, 鈥淚鈥檓 used to wringing out gear post-run and leaving large puddles. This simply wasn鈥檛 possible when I wore the Strata; although my shorts and socks were drenched, little sweat had collected on the singlet.鈥�

And then there鈥檚 its odor resistance: Douglas ran at least an hour in it every day without washing it during one of summer鈥檚 hottest, most humid weeks. 鈥淚t smelled the same on Day 7 as on Day 1,鈥� he marveled. The Strata is expensive, but a good value, given that owning one eliminates the need for all but maybe one other singlet.

Best for Race Day

SOAR Race Vest

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely breathable, perfect for hot, humid conditions.
鈯� Featherweight design
鈯� Runs small

Lab Dry Time: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Displaying the precision and craftsmanship of a top runway fashion design, SOAR鈥檚 Race Vest stands at the peak of high-performance running apparel. If you鈥檙e looking to turn heads come race day, this is sure to draw attention. 鈥淚鈥檝e gotten more compliments wearing this tank than any other singlet,鈥� says lead tester Cory Smith.

The singlet is made with an Italian-made open mesh fabric that鈥檚 razor-thin and extremely breathable. Even on the hottest, most humid days, body heat escaped effortlessly, while the airy design allowed any breeze to pass through for cooling relief. The lab confirmed the vest鈥檚 airyness: It blew away the field in air permeability and also earned the highest score in dry time.

The only drawback we found was that the fabric doesn鈥檛 absorb and wick moisture as well as thicker materials. However, its sheer lightness let skin dry and cool without pulling sweat away from it.

Premium touches like laser-cut and bonded seams eliminated chafing during our test. With many singlets, the shoulders can shift while running, creating a distraction鈥攂ut not with the SOAR Race Vest. The straps lay flat and stay securely in place. The slim-cut design sits close to the skin and runs small, so if you prefer a more relaxed fit, we recommend sizing up.

Best Running T-Shirts

How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Best Overall

Arc鈥檛eryx Norvan Downward Logo Shirt SS

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Feels luxurious against the skin
鈯� Silver ion polymer treated
鈯� Large logo

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Blending form and function, this shirt wowed our testers with its performance. Despite being marketed as a mountain running shirt, we found it well-suited for runs on any terrain.

The front features a silky-smooth polyester fabric that鈥檚 DWR-treated, excelling at both repelling moisture and wicking it away from the skin. The face fabric feels incredibly smooth and luxurious, gliding against the skin without friction, flowing naturally with every stride. Although the shirt had average lab marks on air permeability and dry time (relative to the other top T鈥檚 in this guide), it never felt weighted down, even when saturated with sweat. Meanwhile, panels under the arms and the entire back are made of an airy mesh, allowing more airflow in high heat areas鈥攚hich we especially appreciated when wearing a hydration vest.

Subtle details distinguish the Norvan Downword from cheaper options, including a tailored fit, laminated neckline, and smoothly finished seams and hems. Plus, a silver ion polymer coating effectively fights bacteria and odors.

One of our biggest pet peeves is when a shirt rides up during arm movements. Although the Norvan Downward鈥檚 fit is trim with a slightly shorter hem length, thanks to the articulated sleeves and split sides, we found the hem stayed put on the run.

Runner Up, Best Overall

Rabbit EZ Tee SS

Sizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Soft and stretchy
鈯� Flat-lock stitching enhances comfort
鈯� UPF 50 protection
鈯� Limited color options

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 2 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Soft, stretchy, and impressively moisture-wicking, the Rabbit EZ Tee takes comfort to a new level. Our testers said it quickly became a go-to for nearly any activity, including everyday wear. Made with a simple, soft polyester and spandex blend with a UPF 50 rating for sun protection, it鈥檚 a shirt you鈥檒l want to keep on post-run for its comfort and style, whether you鈥檙e grabbing coffee or heading to the gym.

Testers appreciated the EZ Tee鈥檚 tailored cut, which offered a comfortable fit that felt neither restrictive nor clingy. One tester described it as 鈥渏ust right鈥攏ot too short, too tight, or too loose.鈥� Thoughtful details, such as raglan shoulders and flat-lock stitching, showcase the attention to detail put into this shirt.

Our only complaint? The limited color options. 鈥淚 could comfortably, confidently buy seven different colors and run in nothing else,鈥� said one tester. And the price is so reasonable that stocking up is a feasible option.

Best Value

Terignoga Trail Tee

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely lightweight
鈯� Outstanding price-to-performance
鈯� Limited color options

Lab Dry Time: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

At nearly a third of the cost of other options, you will not find a higher quality shirt at a better price. Crafted from 100 percent polyester with a woven grid pattern, it checks all the boxes: lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. Its woven design and thin fabric reminded us a lot of Patagonia鈥檚 Capilene for a fraction of the price.

Despite being marketed as a trail tee, it鈥檚 equally suitable for the roads. Throughout the warm, sunny SoCal summer, it kept me cool and comfortable, proving to be a versatile go-to for any tempo. After hot and sweaty runs, I was impressed with how quickly the shirt dried in direct sunlight. With a 4 out of 5 in both dry time and air permeability, the Terinoga had the highest combined lab score of any tee we tested.

The fit is labeled as relaxed, but I found it slightly on the slim side compared to other shirts in our lineup. It鈥檚 not enough to size up, but I wouldn鈥檛 call it a true relaxed fit.

Best Splurge

SOAR Advanced Tech Tee

Sizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fantastic range of motion
鈯� Extremely breathable
鈯� Short hem length

Lab Dry Time: 5 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 1 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

London-based SOAR founder Tim Soar says he incorporates his passion for functionality, performance, and sports science into every design, and the Advanced Tech Tee is a prime example of this.

At first touch, the ultralight, stretchy 3D woven fabric felt 鈥渁 bit stiff and scratchy,鈥� according to one tester. But that impression didn鈥檛 last long. 鈥淚t disappeared once I started running,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 actually feel cooler and more comfortable in this than going shirtless.鈥� The fabric鈥檚 subtle stretch and textured weave made it stand away from the skin and stay dry, even when we were sweating profusely. Surprisingly, the lab reported that the tight fabric doesn鈥檛 let much air through, but it has the fastest dry time of any shirt or singlet tested, quickly evaporating moisture.

Additional touches, such as a split hem and one-piece raglan sleeves, enhance freedom of movement, while laser-cut sleeve hems and flat-locked seams reduce potential chafing.

The tee boasts a relaxed fit but leans more toward a European cut鈥攕lightly fitted through the shoulders and chest, with a bit more room through the torso for ease of movement. My only wish is that the hem was a little longer to better accommodate those with longer torsos who prefer more coverage.

Best Wool

Ridge Pursuit Ultralight Merino Tee

Sizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fantastic moisture-wicking abilities
鈯� Natural odor-resistant
鈯� Wool is an acquired taste

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

When you think of a warmer weather running shirt, wool may not be the first fabric that comes to mind. Most people equate wool with cold weather. But wool, which is naturally both extremely breathable and moisture-wicking, is just as effective in hot conditions as in cold. After testing over six wool shirts, testers all found the Ridge Pursuit Merino Tee the best. 鈥淭his is the closest to my gold standard,鈥� said one tester with an extensive wool collection.

Thoughtful attention was given to every detail, from gusseted sleeves for improved range of motion to a one-inch drop tail for added coverage. Merrow stitching along the side seams ensures a smooth, flat finish to help prevent chafing. The patented Merino wool yarn is engineered to be lighter and stronger and said to deliver twice the durability of traditional 100 percent Merino wool apparel. Testers said it was noticeable. Where most wool shirts we tested felt delicate and lost shape easily, the Ridge Pursuit Merino was more resilient, maintaining its structure even after repeated wear and washing. The merino wool is so naturally odor-resistant, however, you won鈥檛 have to launder it often: One tester found that the 鈥淧ursuit tee can go five runs before it needs to see the hamper鈥濃€攁 boon for those who feel the pain of a never-ending laundry cycle.

With its thoughtful design, durability, and natural benefits, one tester said the Ridge Pursuit Merino Tee strikes 鈥渢he delicate balance of performance, comfort, and value that has long eluded the Merino market.鈥�

Best for High Heat

Montane Dart Nano T-Shirt

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Remarkably lightweight
鈯� Airy
鈯� Limited moisture absorption due to thin fabric

Lab Dry Time: 3 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 4 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

The Montane Dart Nano comes as close as possible to the feeling of running shirtless.鈥淚t鈥檚 lightweight to the point of near-invisibility,鈥� said one tester. Made with 100 percent recycled polyester and weighing a mere 2.8 ounces, the thin fabric allows for excellent airflow. During sweltering runs in the hot and humid Northeast summers, one tester reported his body heat escaped effortlessly through the material, which, he said, 鈥渢ransformed scorching runs into manageable experiences.鈥� Another tester said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the shirt you鈥檒l reach for without hesitation when the temperature soars.鈥�

The cut is trim, sitting close to the body, but doesn鈥檛 feel suffocating thanks to the featherlight fabric and added articulation, which includes extra room around the underarm so the sleeve won鈥檛 ride up even when your arm is extended. However, the ultra-thin material comes with two drawbacks: It doesn鈥檛 absorb and wick moisture as effectively as some other options and provides minimal warmth on cooler days. But, in the most extreme warm-weather conditions, this ultralight tee offers exceptional breathability and comfort.

Best Road-to-Restaurant

Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Suburb range of motion
鈯� High-quality fabric
鈯� Not as good at dealing with heat as lighter, more breathable fabrics

Lab Dry Time: 1 (1=worst; 5=best)
Lab Air Permeability: 1 (1=worst; 5=best)
How We Tested Running Shirts In the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Best suited for runs that start at the track and end at the cafe, the Lululemon Metal Vent Tech blends performance and style with a timeless, refined design. 鈥淚t seamlessly transitions from morning runs to evening restaurants with uncompromised excellence,鈥� one tester reported. Made from a nylon, recycled polyester, and elastane blend, this shirt has a heavier, more substantial feel than the thinner options we tested. It doesn鈥檛 vanish like ultra-lightweight shirts but instead offers a noticeably soft and comforting feel against your skin.

While it鈥檚 not a particularly airy shirt, we found it does breathe and wick moisture adequately to not feel clammy on most days. And, thanks to the built-in stretch, the shirt offers an unrestricted range of motion and doesn鈥檛 hold you back on the run. On extremely hot days, however, when sweat is pouring and the fabric becomes fully saturated, it can feel slightly weighed down.

Given its versatility and comfort, the Lululemon Metal Vent Tech became one of our go-to shirts for just about any occasion, from running to lounging at home to heading out for a casual dinner.

What to Look For in Summer Running Apparel

Dressing for summer running is straightforward鈥攜ou want pieces that breathe, wick moisture, move naturally, don鈥檛 stink, and don鈥檛 get in the way. Shirt choices come down to how much skin coverage you prefer, fit, and material.

Here are some quick tips on buying the best without going broke:

• Look for high-quality synthetic fibers. Yes, our top picks include a few items with natural fibers. But for the most part, specially designed varieties of polyester, polyamide, nylon, and the like can handle summer running鈥檚 high sweat rates better than wool and cotton.
• Seek sun protection. Even if you run at dawn or dusk, or on trails, sun damage can be insidious. Many shorts and tops come with a UPF coating. Well-ventilated hats reduce squinting while shedding heat. Running tan lines aren鈥檛 something to be proud of.
• Check for chafing. If you鈥檝e ever been rubbed raw by a rigid seam or sagging liner, you won鈥檛 want to repeat the experience. Abrasion accelerates when you鈥檙e drenched in sweat. Look for flat seams, unobtrusive logos, and other elements of construction that will minimize chafing.
• Go with the flow. Our picks in this review strike the right balance between being loose enough to allow cooling air flow but not so billowy that they impede normal running form.
• Banish bacteria. Many high-quality summer running items incorporate an anti-bacterial treatment that greatly reduces nasty odors setting up shop. These pieces not only can be worn many more times before needing to be washed, but also lessen your chance of developing a funky skin situation.
• Invest in quality. It can be tempting to think, 鈥淲hatever I run in is going to get soaked anyway, so I鈥檒l just buy the cheapest gear out there.鈥� Such reasoning quickly falls apart when, well, the item itself starts to fall apart because of constant exposure to sweat and frequent laundering. Fewer high-quality pieces that hold their form and don鈥檛 hold odors are better than more cheaply made gear that will start disintegrating in one summer.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 10
• Number of products tested: 20+ singlets, 40+ short sleeve tees
• Number of brands tested: 45+
• Number of miles run in testing: 4,500+
• Highest testing temperature: 101 Fahrenheit
• Number of 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab tests: 2

Our testing team ranged across the U.S.鈥攆rom the California beach town of Santa Barbara to central Wisconsin and the high plains of Nebraska, to the urban bake sites of Chicago and Houston, and, for good measure, the running hub of Eugene, Oregon. All are dedicated runners with average weekly mileage ranging from low 20s to mid-70s over both roads and trails. Some have been running for 30 or more years and can compare today鈥檚 running apparel to previous attempts to keep runners cool in the summer. We focused on a subjective combination of moisture management, comfort, versatility, value, and looks to answer a simple question: Of all the apparel you logged summer miles in, which would you be most likely to recommend to fellow runners?

How We Tested Running Shirts in the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

Air Permeability

Air permeability is a measure of how much air (in volume) is able to move through a fabric. It is not the same as “breathability” which measures how moisture vapor (sweat) moves through a fabric. The more air permeable, the more the cooling breeze makes it through your shirt and reaches your skin directly. To test this in the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab @ CU Denver, we use a James Heal AirPro, a machine that uses a vacuum pump to pull air through fabric clamped between plates with a specific diameter opening to measure the flow rate at a pre-set pressure. The greater the volume of air getting through, the more air permeable. This lab test only evaluates the material itself, and can’t account for how the cut and design of a garment aids its airiness.

Dry Time

The lab tested drying time by soaking each shirt and then recording how long each needed to dry. Each shirt was weighed while dry, then soaked in tap water until all of the material had absorbed water. After soaking, they were hand wrung until all excess water stopped releasing from the fabric, leaving a fully saturated, but not soaked, shirt. The saturated shirts were weighed again to get the “wet” starting point and then put on a mannequin to dry. Weight was recorded every hour to start and then every 15 minutes as they approached dryness, stopping when the sample was within 4 percent of the original dry value. Allowing for 4 percent of weight gain (a few grams) takes into account any dirt particles that could be introduced from the tap water or environment, and small hemmed areas of the shirt that may hold a little moisture, even though the overwhelming majority of the shirt is dry.

We compiled the raw data into groups of similar values for each measure to obtain scores of 1 to 5, worst to best, relative to all the t-shirts and singlets tested.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Cory Smith

Cory Smith, a former Division One runner at Villanova University, has been running since the mid-1990s. With over a decade of experience testing and reviewing running apparel and shoes for publications like 国产吃瓜黑料 and Runner鈥檚 World, he continues to compete as a masters athlete, boasting a personal best of 4:31 in the mile. He consistently logs 30 to 40 miles per week over roads, trails and on the track.

A 13.25km trail race Cory Smith ran while testing the Adidas Adizero Running Singlet.

(Gaia GPS is owned by 国产吃瓜黑料 Inc.)

Scott Douglas

Scott Douglas says, 鈥淚鈥檝e run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen in the 1970s, and have always loved how daily runs undergird and elevate the rest of my life.鈥� and a writer/editor about fitness, he sweats like crazy despite living in Maine.

Other testers included:

• , a Nebraska resident who is a senior running gear editor for 国产吃瓜黑料 and has also been running since the 1970s.
• , a doctor of physical therapy who founded the Pineries Running Lab in Wisconsin.

The post The Best Running Shirts for Men: Field and Lab Tested appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This year鈥檚 round-up of trail mountain bikes ranges from hard-charging, downhill-oriented crushers to more cross-country-style rippers. Our testers and editors tested 25 trail bikes in the category from Bellingham to Squamish, in all kinds of conditions. After months of testing, these picks are the ones that came out on top.

Updated May 2025: We added three new bikes to this list for 2025, including our new Editors’ Choice pick, the Canyon Spectral. We also updated pricing and info on bikes we previously tested and still highly recommend.听

Best Trail Mountain Bikes at a Glance

• Editors’ Choice:
• Best Adjustability:
• Best Value:
• Best Descender:
• Best High-Pivot:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Getting Air:
• How to Choose a Trail Mountain Bike
• How We Test Trail Bikes
• Meet the Lead Testers

Editors’ Choice

Canyon Spectral

Build: CF9
Weight: 32.4 lb (size M)
Travel: 140 mm rear, 150 mm fork
Frame: Carbon
Wheels: 29″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Good value
鈯� Supportive suspension
鈯� Not a lot of room for a water bottle

Canyon’s goal with the latest version of the Spectral was to make it more of an all-around trail bike, as opposed to an all-mountain rig. As we’ve established, mountain bike categories are harder to define than ever, but to accomplish that goal, Canyon reduced the rear travel by 10 millimeters, dropping it to 140 millimeters, and equipped the bike with a 150-millimeter fork. The bike can be set up with dual 29-inch wheels (the way we tested it) or with mixed wheels, thanks to a flip chip on the chainstay. Other than the change in rear travel, the other main revision to the Spectral was the addition of in-frame storage. It’s not the roomiest compartment out there, but it’s a handy spot to stash a tube, tire levers, and a CO2 inflator just in case.

The new Spectral has the snappy, energetic manners that you’d hope to find in a trail bike. Step on the pedals and it happily surges forward鈥攖here isn’t any wallowing down or sluggishness. The head angle is on the slacker side, but that didn’t seem to hinder its uphill abilities.

Rather than feeling like a slightly shorter travel enduro bike, the Spectral feels at home on a broader range of trails. It’s just as entertaining to ride on smooth, flowy singletrack as it is on tighter, jankier trails. The suspension sits high when you want it to, but still provides enough traction to keep that rear wheel tracking on choppier climbs.

The supportive suspension that helps the Spectral shine on the climbs translates very nicely to the descents鈥攊t was a crowd pleaser on faster, flowier trails, where you could really push it into steep bermed turns and pump every roller to for maximum speed. On rougher, natural tracks, the fact that there’s less travel than bikes like the Santa Cruz Bronson is noticeable, but it never felt chattery or overwhelmed. Even without a hydraulic bottom-out feature on the shock, there weren’t any harsh bottom-out events, and it saw its fair share of sizeable sends.

Yes, you’ll feel more feedback compared to those longer travel options, but the Spectral does a very good job of managing its travel. Smack into something hard and it’s like punching a memory foam mattress. The Spectral is one of those bikes that’s easy to recommend to just about any rider, no matter their skill level. It’s tons of fun on mellower, more meandering terrain, and it can still hang on rougher, rowdier trails. It鈥檚 a versatile trail bike that left us impressed by its unflappable nature in a wide variety of terrain.

Best Adjustability

Trek Top Fuel

Build: 9.9 XX AXS
Weight: 28.2 lbs (size L)
Travel: 120 mm, 130 mm fork
Frame: Carbon
Wheels: 29″ (MX compatible with 140 mm fork)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide range of adjustment
鈯� Clean-looking frame
鈯� All modern amenities included
鈯� Underpowered brakes
鈯� Should be lighter for the price

It’s easy to obsess over a bike’s actual weight, but there’s something to be said about how a bike feels out on the trail. With the Top Fuel, it feels fast and eager to accelerate, even with tires and wheels that aren’t all that light. The Top Fuel manages to be quick and efficient without any harshness, a feat that’s not easy to accomplish. The suspension remains calm under harder pedaling, while retaining enough compliance to keep chunkier climbs from feeling jarring.

The geometry is nicely balanced, too: the chainstay length and overall wheelbase have grown compared to the last model, but if anything, I’d say that improves the bike’s handling while climbing and descending. On the climbs, it helps create a more centered position, which makes it easier to maintain traction on steep sections or to pause for a brief trackstand in the middle of a particularly tricky jumble of roots.

With the Top Fuel Gen 4, when the trail points downhill, the handling is quick without feeling sketchy. It’s right at home on rolling, meandering trails, and it does a great job of maintaining speed on descents that require pumping and pedaling to avoid getting hung up. Just like on the climbs, there’s support for those moments when an extra pedal stroke or two is required, and enough small bump sensitivity to keep the wheels gripping on slippery, awkward sections of trail.

At its core, the Top Fuel is a truly excellent bike, a prime example of how well-rounded a modern trail bike can be. Sure, it’s not as light as it once was, and there are a few spec choices that could be improved, but the ride quality and sheer number of possible configurations help make up for that. For riders on the hunt for a bike they can customize to perfectly suit their favorite local trails, the Top Fuel is well worth considering.

Best Value Trail Bike

Specialized Stumpjumper 15

Build: Comp Alloy
Weight: 36 lbs (s4)
Travel: 145 mm, 150 mm fork
Frame: Aluminum frame
Wheels: 29″ or MX

Pros and Cons
鈯� Sensitive suspension
鈯� Extensive adjustment capabilities
鈯� Descends like a bigger bike
鈯� Heavy

The Stumpjumper is Specialized’s now ubiquitous do-everything trail bike, with adjustability and adaptability integral to the bike’s character. This year’s update to the 15th iteration of the bike wasn’t some massive overhaul, but more of a refinement, with very similar geometry to the outgoing Stumpjumper EVO, and the introduction of the Genie shock. While not necessarily required, this shock is core to the bike’s purported improvement in suspension performance, and does achieve some impressive marks on paper.

The Stumpy’s ability to hum through rough and technical terrain is very impressive, thanks in part to its active suspension feel. Rear wheel traction is plentiful, meaning you can focus on putting down power without worrying about spinning out when things get tricky.

As terrain smooths out and climbs hit a more consistent gradient, the Stumpjumper 15 isn’t the most energetic of the bunch, due more to the active suspension and slack seat angle. Those looking to maximize the pep in the new Stumpjumper platform would benefit from adding more spacers to the Genie to reduce the extra volume and add some support through the main portion of the stroke. There’s a tradeoff with grip, but that’s to be expected.

The Stumpjumper 15 shines brightest in its stock setup, with the neutral headset orientation and high bottom bracket setting. No painting yourself into a corner鈥攖his is simply where the Stumpy feels most adaptable and ready to tackle varied terrain.

The geometry and corresponding handling of the bike feels natural, intuitive, and well-rounded, which lends itself to the varied riding one might expect to do on a capable trail bike. A few of us regularly referred to the bike as “safe” feeling, thanks to an easygoing nature that managed to extend even into some pretty gnarly sections of trail.

The Stumpjumper 15 should work well for new riders and experienced folks alike, growing with that skillset and adapting well to changes in terrain.

Best Descender

Scor 2030 GX

Build: 2030 GX
Weight: 29.9 lbs (size M/L)
Travel: 120 mm, 140 mm fork
Frame: Carbon
Wheels: 29″

Pros and Cons
鈯� It’s a better descender than most 120-millimeter travel bikes
鈯� Very quiet, no cable rattle or excessive chainslap
鈯� Your enduro bike might start collecting dust

It only takes one three-letter word to summarize why the Scor 2030 is our 2024 Editor鈥檚 Choice winner: FUN. With its stubby back end and relatively slack head angle, the 2030 is incredibly entertaining, especially on technical, rolling terrain. Pumping, manualing, and jumping are the 2030’s strong suits, but it also squeezes every last drop of performance out of its 120 millimeters of rear travel. That trait allows it to shine brighter than most bikes in this travel bracket when faced with chunky, technical sections of trail.

The 2030 is more focused on the descents than some other bikes in this category (like the), but Scor’s designers didn’t forget that it needs to go uphill, too. It’s an energetic pedaler, free of any wallowing or mushiness while still delivering enough traction to keep that low-profile Rekon tire from spinning wildly. The perfect balance between efficiency and grip can be tricky to achieve, but the 2030 does it very well. It has the quickness you’d hope to get from a 120-millimeter bike without any accompanying harshness.

The geometry plays a large part in how comfortable the bike feels in the steeps, but the suspension deserves a mention, too: the Deluxe Ultimate shock is very well controlled, with a smooth ramp up at the bottom of the stroke. It’s a trait we noticed with the Scor 4060 a couple of years ago鈥攖here’s no harshness towards the end of the travel, which makes it easier to plop off a drop or push through a pointy rock garden without worrying about running out of travel.

Yes, there are limits鈥攚e’re still talking about a 120-millimeter trail bike here鈥攁nd I’m not about to say it can go wheel-to-wheel with a full-on enduro bike. However, the fact that it can handle those more technical trails while also remaining entertaining on mellower ones is worth noting. The suspension opens up nicely at higher speeds, and it can deal with quick impacts very well.

The frame itself ticks all the boxes when it comes to the features we’d expect to see on a modern trail bike鈥攖here’s in-frame storage, angle-adjusting headset cups, well-sealed bearings, and effective chainslap protection that keeps the 2030 satisfyingly silent. The 2030 is one of those bikes that makes you want to keep on riding, sneaking in as many miles as possible before it’s time to return to reality.

Best High-Pivot Trail Bike

Forbidden Druid V2

Build: GX FX
Weight: 32.4 lbs (size M)
Travel: 130 mm, 150 mm fork
Frame: Carbon
Wheels: 29″ or MX

Pros and Cons
鈯� Descends like a longer travel bike
鈯� Extremely quiet ride
鈯� The extra idler wheel can require more servicing
鈯� A unique spin on geometry means the XL frame鈥檚 chainstay grows extremely long through the travel

If you鈥檝e ever ridden an idler-equipped high-pivot bike鈥攎eaning the bike鈥檚 main pivot is placed above the top of the chainring and the rear wheel axle鈥攜ou know the calming effect that the rearward axle path brings to the nature of the ride. Forbidden has taken that to a trail bike, something seldom utilized on a 130-millimeter-travel bike. The original Druid won over fans of shorter travel bikes with its ability to handle descents as if it had magical powers鈥攏ow, it鈥檚 transcendent. Even with a longer-travel model in the lineup, Forbidden鈥檚 enduro racer, Rhys Verner, claimed the top spot this season aboard the Druid V2.

We took the Druid V2 out on singletrack uphills and downhills with chunky rock outcrops, and the bike felt superbly balanced. Thanks to the high pivot design and the Super Deluxe rear shock, the Druid handled technical bumps with ease and had no trouble carrying speed. The Druid V2 thrives in singletrack because you can stay seated upright and comfy, and you don鈥檛 lose much speed when pedaling across roots.

However, the admirable suspension qualities of high-pivot bikes don鈥檛 come easily鈥攖hey typically require more upkeep to maintain maximum drivetrain efficiency. Due to the precise placements of the pivots on the Druid V2, you cannot adjust the geometry. To pick between a 64 or 64.5-degree head tube angle, you鈥檒l need to choose the specific frame member that houses either a 27.5 or 29-inch rear wheel. Although the brake line鈥檚 routing passes through the seatstay, it鈥檚 not a swap you鈥檒l be making in the parking lot. On that note of chainstays, Forbidden scales their front to rear center lengths proportionally per size, so the same ratio is kept on all frame sizes. Even taller riders may have trouble wielding the 466-millimeter chainstay found on the XL frame size.

Overall, the Druid V2 is one of the more capable short-travel bikes for riders who prefer snappy handling. It might take a while for some riders to acclimatize to its lengthy rear triangle, but the unbelievably smooth descent is worth it.

Most Versatile

Cannondale Habit Carbon LT 1

Build: Sram GX Eagle
Weight: 31.4 lbs (size L)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Balanced and composed in tricky situations
鈯� Not super efficient on the uphill

When we covered the , it struck us just how sensible and conventional it was. There was no quirkiness to it, at least on the surface, and everything about it seemed to be pragmatic and well-judged. The Habit LT’s geometry, frame features, and simple layout all scream modern, sensible trail bike. The frame has some nice subtle features, with a rubber cover to stop your chainstay from gobbling up rocks, non-guided routing that is very easy to work with thanks to a removable panel on the downtube, ISCG threads, and a tried-and-true threaded bottom bracket.

Though it is a typical four-bar bike, the Habit has a comparatively low anti-squat value. This may be bad news for all-out efficiency on smooth roads, but it鈥檚 good news if you need your suspension to adapt to terrain on rougher climbs. The Habit is comfortable on undulating terrain thanks to that higher stack, and the suspension tracks and grips well. We sometimes used the climb switch for hard-pack fire roads or tarmac stretches, but for anything remotely rough, we set it to open and let it flow. It might not be the most suited to out-of-the-saddle pedaling hard, but the bike does strike a great balance between tracking and efficiency. The Habit LT is weighted on the front, balanced on most trails, and able to handle very steep trails because of this well-proportioned and pragmatic geometry. We’re not big believers in massive reaches, especially when combined with short rear ends鈥攖he grip the Habit achieves on any type of trail is a testament to this. Extra-regular is no bad thing.

Overall, this is a very well-executed bike that simply works very well. Balance, composure, maneuverability, and comfort can oftentimes seem like ideologies that are opposed to one another in bikes, and you can merely have two or three out of the four at best. The Habit LT makes a very strong argument that, as riders, we might just be able to have it all.

Best for Getting Air

Commencal Tempo LTD

Build: Tempo LTD
Weight: 30.9 lbs (size S)
Travel: 125 mm rear, 140 mm fork
Frame: Aluminum
Wheels: 29″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Quick and lively
鈯� Never met a jump or corner it didn’t like
鈯� Thru-headset cable routing can make maintenance more difficult

No matter which direction the trail points, the Tempo is fast. It has a satisfying snappiness that rewards hard pedaling efforts, especially on rolling terrain where the bike can be pumped and pushed to maintain that momentum. It’s also a very energetic climber, which will be a welcome trait to anyone coming off of a longer travel machine with more subdued pedaling manners. Compared to longer, slacker bikes where you need to swing wide to navigate awkward switchbacks, the Tempo is happiest taking the inside line, following a tight, precise arc on its way upwards. We’d be tempted to call it a trail bike for riders who prioritize the climbs鈥攅xcept that it’s a blast on the downhills too.

The Tempo is the type of bike that can breathe new life into mellower trails while also holding its own on the rowdier stuff. Modern mountain bike categories can be nebulous at times, but this is a trail bike in the truest sense of the term, well-suited to spinning out the miles while also goofing off and hitting every lip and landing possible. Do we wish it didn’t have thru-headset cable routing and better-sealed frame bearings? You bet, but we wouldn’t consider either of those deal-breakers. The overall ride characteristics of the Tempo are overwhelmingly positive, enough so that we’d be willing to deal with a little extra shop time.

How to Choose a Trail Bike

The trail bike category is the most saturated in mountain biking, so it鈥檚 understandable if you鈥檙e feeling a bit overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are a few easy questions you can ask yourself to narrow the field.

What kind of riding will you be doing?

As much as you may want to answer this one with flowy, singletrack heaven, it鈥檚 important to be realistic about what you鈥檒l actually be riding. This can be determined by the time of year that you mostly get out there (which will determine what the conditions will be like), which trails are most accessible to you, and which region you bike in. Are you planning on taking big trips consistently, or will you mostly stay local?

Will you be riding lift-accessed trails?

If most of the riding you鈥檒l be doing is lift-accessed, you may want to look in the enduro category. If you鈥檒l be doing a mix of both and are planning on hitting jumps, look for a bike that has enough travel but doesn鈥檛 compromise on the uphill either.

What鈥檚 your riding style?

If you prefer to charge through steep, technical sections, you could be looking at a very different bike than if you鈥檙e a more playful rider who likes to find side hits. Again, be honest with yourself about this. How do you actually ride, and what鈥檚 aspirational?

What鈥檚 your budget?

Yes, mountain bikes are expensive. But you do have options. Consider buying used (the market has finally gotten more reasonable this past year), by checking out or looking on Craigslist. Or, check out our best value bikes page for cheaper new bikes. If you鈥檙e thinking about buying a used bike (which can be an excellent option), watch from PinkBike Originals.

Are you able to test it out?

You must take a bike at least for a spin around the block before you pull the trigger. You might find that you鈥檙e uncomfortable on a bike with a certain geometry that you鈥檙e not used to鈥攁nd although sometimes it does take some more time on the bike鈥攜ou鈥檒l know if you鈥檙e just not sitting right. Taking it for a spin will also help the shop determine which size is best for you.

How We Test Trail Bikes

• Number of Testers: 6
• Number of Products Tested: 25

PinkBike leads our mountain bike testing and just like in previous years, the team took out as many trail bikes as they could over the whole year. They tested trail bikes in Bellingham, Washington, and Squamish, BC, in a wide range of conditions that included everything from muddy, rainy days to ones with blue skies and perfect dirt. Testing was lead by Mike Kazimer, PinkBike’s editor in chief, who is based in Bellingham, Washington and manages all mountain bike gear coverage.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Mike Kazimer is PinkBike’s editor-in-chief, and has been entrenched in the mountain bike world for well over 20 years. From crushing cardboard boxes as a shop grom to his current role as Pinkbike, he鈥檚 long been fascinated with the elegant simplicity of human powered machines. Based in Bellingham, Washington, Kazimer鈥檚 no stranger to wet weather, and his favorite rides tend to be long, technical forays deep into the forest.

Dario DiGiulio is a tech editor for Pinkbike. You can find him biking the trails of Bellingham, Washington year-round.

Matt Beer is a tech editor for PinkBike. He’s based in Squamish, B.C.

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The post Our Favorite Trail Mountain Bikes For Every Kind of Condition appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The right bike rack makes transporting your ride easy, secure, and stress-free. Whether you鈥檙e hauling an e-bike, mountain bike, road bike, or fat bike, a well-designed rack should be intuitive to use and built to last. We tested 22 racks across 8 vehicles with a range of bike types, prioritizing ease of use in real-world conditions, including cross-country road trips in both summer and winter. From hitch racks to tailgate pads, here are the best bike transport options for every type of rider.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best Off-Roading Rack:
• Best Budget Hitch Rack:
• Best Trunk Bike Rack:
• Best Tailgate Pad:
• Best Vertical Rack:
• Best Bike Rack for Fat Bikes:
• Best Swing-Away Rack Adapter:
• How to Choose a Bike Rack
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

Kuat Piston Pro

Weight Limit: 67 lbs per tray
Capacity: 2 bikes with add-ons for up to 2 more
Wheel Diameter Range: 18-29 in.
Max Tire Width: 5 in.
Rack Weight: 63 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� No frame contact
鈯� Air-assisted arms
鈯� Durable
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Heavy

The Kuat Piston Pro sets a high standard for hitch racks. With its dual-arm, touchless design, loading and unloading bikes is as simple as pressing a lever. The button-operated pneumatic arms open wide, which makes loading and unloading bikes a breeze. The powder-coated aluminum construction ensures longevity, and the foot-operated tilt mechanism allows easy trunk access, even when loaded. You鈥檒l also score extra nonchalant cool points at the trailhead when, at the press of a button, the rack鈥檚 arms open wide, making it much easier to operate the rack while also holding your bike. 鈥淚鈥檝e never used a rack with arms that open on their own, and now it鈥檚 the only rack I want to use,鈥� noted one tester.

Like many racks of this style, the Piston Pro secures bikes at both tires, therefore avoiding frame contact, which makes it ideal for lightweight carbon frames and high-end builds. It accommodates a variety of wheel and tire sizes, including larger 29-inch mountain bikes and narrow road tires.

While it lacks some of the luxury features of the Piston Pro X, like gold stanchions and integrated tail lights, the Piston Pro remains the easiest and most refined tray rack available. It was favored by all of our testers for its ease of use and the wide range of bikes it can transport securely.

Best Off-Roading Rack

1UP Super Duty

Weight Limit: Up to 100 lbs per tray
Capacity: 2 bikes with add-ons for up to 2 more
Tire Diameter Range: 16 -29 in.
Max Tire Width: 5 in.
Rack Weight: 64 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable
鈯� Handles heavy bikes
鈯� Extremely stable
鈯� Heavy
鈯� Tilt lever is very difficult to use

The 1UP Super Duty was designed for rugged terrain, heavy loads, and transporting bikes in the toughest conditions. Its all-metal construction is overbuilt in the best way, with robust, ratcheting arms that hold bikes by the tires without frame contact.

While it lacks some of the creature comforts of Kuat鈥檚 Piston Pro, such as the auto-opening arms, the Super Duty is one of the most secure and versatile racks available鈥攑erfect for heavy e-bikes and off-roaders needing a rack that won鈥檛 rattle loose. The strong clamping mechanism ensures that even on rough roads, your bikes stay in place without shifting. Unlike many hitch racks, it lacks plastic parts, which can become fragile in cold weather and are more susceptible to UV damage, which bodes well for long-term durability.

Several of our testers noted that the lever used to tilt the rack is very hard to access, especially when the rack is fully loaded. We strongly recommend adding ($99). In our opinion, this should be a standard feature. While it鈥檚 not the most user-friendly rack in our round-up, it was voted 鈥淭he bike rack most likely to survive the apocalypse鈥� by one tester.

Whether you鈥檙e heading deep into bumpy backcountry roads or need a reliable option for heavier e-bikes, the 1UP Super Duty is the best option.

Best Budget Hitch Rack

Hollywood Racks Trail Rider Hitch Bike Rack

Weight Limit: 45 lbs per tray
Capacity: 2 bikes
Wheel Diameter Range: 20 – 29 in.Max Tire Width: 3 in.
Rack Weight: 37 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable
鈯� Compact folding design
鈯� Easy install and adjustability
鈯� R Trunk access
鈯� Clamps to the bike鈥檚 frame
鈯� Less durable than premium options
鈯� Low weight limit

For those seeking an affordable yet functional hitch rack, the Hollywood Racks Trail Rider is hard to beat. While it lacks the features of higher-end models, its simplicity and effectiveness make it a solid choice for casual riders. The rack folds compactly when not in use and includes an easy-to-use yet basic tilt function for rear vehicle access.

This tray-style rack secures bikes via padded frame clamps and adjustable wheel trays. The ratcheting hooks contact bikes鈥� top tubes, which isn鈥檛 ideal for delicate carbon bikes, but for budget-conscious cyclists who need a reliable way to transport their bikes, this rack is a worthwhile option. Installation is straightforward, and it holds two bikes securely, making it an excellent choice for weekend riders or those new to hitch racks.

Best Trunk Bike Rack

Saris Bones EX 3-Bike

Weight Limit: 35 lbs per cradle
Capacity: 3 bikes
Rack Weight: 11 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight yet strong
鈯� Fits wide range of vehicles
鈯� Secure ratcheting straps
鈯� Folds for easy storage
鈯� Longer setup time
鈯� Obstructs rear visibility on many vehicles
鈯� Less stable

Launched back in 1996 with minimal revisions since then, the Saris Bones EX 3 remains one of the most user-friendly trunk racks on the market. Its injection-molded arms and legs are lightweight yet strong, and the arc design helps fit a wide range of vehicles, including hatchbacks and many SUVs. The ratcheting straps make securing bikes quick, though the bikes are more prone to contact each other than with tray-style hitch racks. Thanks to its low weight, installation is easy. It also folds down for storage when not in use, making it perfect for cyclists who are short on space.

While trunk racks inherently require more setup time than hitch racks, the Bones EX 3 is the easiest to use in its category.

Best Tailgate Pad

Race Face T3

Capacity: 6 bikes
Rack Weight: 5 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Allows tonneau covers to fully close
鈯� Secure
鈯� Versions available for compact and full-size trucks
鈯� Removable downtube attachments
鈯� Not as theft-resistant as hitch-mounted racks
鈯� Only compatible with trucks

If you have a large group of riding buddies that you need to transport via pickup truck, a tailgate pad is essential. Though less secure than traditional racks, tailgate pads are affordable, and some of the latest models鈥攊ncluding the Race Face T3 do an excellent job of preventing bikes from knocking against each other during transport.

A rigid, compression-molded foam pad protects fork crowns and keeps the front of up to six bikes secure, preventing unnecessary movement. While testing, we found the Race Face T3 did the best job of keeping bikes separated thanks in part to the ribbed fork pad that prevents bikes from swaying side to side.

Unlike many other tailgate pads, the T3鈥檚 thick foldaway downtube padding swings out of the way, allowing your tonneau cover to fully close and lock when bikes are removed鈥攏o more gaps when securing other cargo.

Best Vertical Rack

Thule ReVert

Weight Limit: 55 lbs per cradle
Capacity: 6 bikes
Wheel Diameter Range: 29-in. wheels (20 – 24-in. accessory available separately)
Max Tire Width: 3 in. (4 – 5-in. wheel basket available separately)
Rack Weight: 88 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Holds up to six bikes
鈯� Easy lifting and lowering
鈯� Rear vehicle access
鈯� Protective of frames
鈯� Large and heavy
鈯� Expensive

Vertical racks have gained popularity as high school mountain bike leagues have sprouted up across North America because hauling a minivan full of kids to mountain bike practice requires a heavy-duty bike rack. Designed for riders needing to transport multiple bikes, the Thule ReVert 6 holds six bikes vertically by their front wheels.

The rack鈥檚 assisted tilting feature allows for easier loading and rear vehicle access鈥攁 rare feature in vertical racks. What also sets the ReVert 6 apart from other vertical-style racks is its hydraulic damper, which provides weight assistance鈥攎uch like the lift supports on the hatch of a minivan or SUV鈥攎aking it easier to both lower and raise the rack when fully loaded. This feature is incredibly useful because lifting a rack loaded with six bikes can be challenging.

Although the price and rack weight are both quite hefty, the ReVert 6 is an ideal solution for teams, families, and riders who need a high-capacity, user-friendly rack. Plus, the wheel baskets accommodate a wide range of tire sizes, and the padded cradles help prevent frame damage.

Best Rack For Fat Bikes

Saris Edge

Weight Limit: 80 lbs per tray
Capacity: 2 bikes
Wheel Diameter Range: 24 – 29 in.
Max Tire Width: 5 in.
Rack Weight: 65 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Can fit tires up to 5 inches wide
鈯� Easy installation
鈯� Integrated locking system
鈯� Heavy
鈯� Handles a limited range of wheel sizes
鈯� Expensive

Fat bikes demand a rack that can handle their oversized tires with stability, and the Saris Edge does just that. While many racks claim to support tires up to 5 inches wide, few do so as securely as this one. Plus, its fixed-position, spring-loaded arm avoids contact with bikes鈥� frames and forks. The included rear-wheel riser block also lifts bikes by 2.5 inches, preventing seat and handlebar interference between bikes.

The 鈥渉ollow spoon鈥� tray design does a great job of transporting skinny-tired road and gravel bikes as it does fat bikes, and its high weight capacity allows it to carry e-bikes weighing up to 80 pounds each. The tool-free anti-wobble system ensures a secure fit, while integrated locking cables keep bikes safe.

Best Swing-Away Rack Adapter

1UP RakAttach

Weight Limit: 275 lbs
Weight: 56 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Sturdy
鈯� Accommodates both right- and left-sided operation
鈯� Expensive

For those who need easy access to their vehicle鈥檚 rear compartment while using a hitch rack, the 1UP RakAttach is the best swing-away adapter available. (Vanlifer鈥檚, this one鈥檚 for you.) The 2.0 version retains the same hinge and clasp mechanisms as the original, but it now features the ability to flip and open toward the vehicle’s driver or passenger side, adding versatility for different setups.

The RakAttach pivots 100 degrees and has a 275-pound weight capacity, making it suitable for carrying hitch bike racks or cargo carriers. Of all the swing-away adapters we tested, the RakAttach had the least amount of sway while testing on rough fire roads. Whether you’re loading gear or accessing your trunk, truck bed, or the rear of your Sprinter van, the RakAttach extends your hitch rack away from the vehicle with ease.

How To Choose a Bike Rack

When choosing a bike rack, consider your vehicle type, bike weight, and the number of bikes you need to carry. For instance, if you鈥檙e carrying one or more e-bikes, you鈥檒l need to ensure your rack and hitch accommodate higher weight requirements. Also, consider how frequently you plan to carry bikes. If you plan to use it multiple times a week, investing in a top-quality hitch rack will pay off. If you only plan to use a rack several times a year, a more budget-friendly option, like a trunk rack, might be a better choice.

Hitch Racks vs Trunk Racks vs Tailgate Pads

Hitch racks are the most secure and convenient but require a receiver hitch. (We strongly recommend using a Class III 20-inch receiver whenever possible, as it has a higher weight limit and provides significantly more stability than 1 录-inch models.) Trunk racks offer affordability and the versatility to mount them on vehicles without trailer hitches, but they require more setup and generally don鈥檛 carry bikes as securely as platform-style hitch racks. Tailgate pads work best for truck owners transporting multiple mountain bikes.

How We Test

We tested these racks on eight different types of vehicles, including trucks, hatchbacks, SUVs, and vans. Our goal was to evaluate them based on ease of use, security, and durability. We assessed each rack in our test in real-world conditions that included quick after-work rides as well as multi-state road trips to our favorite riding destinations in Colorado, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Arkansas. While we logged more than a thousand highway miles, we also spent time on unpaved forest roads to gauge which racks would really limit sway (and hold up to abuse).

We also tested the weather resistance of each rack by leaving them on vehicles during winter driving conditions. We took note of the time it took to assemble each rack, as well as installation and load times. During testing, we noted any issues with bike stability, usability, and degradation in performance due to wear and tear.

Meet Our Testers

Josh Patterson has been riding and wrenching on bikes for 20 years and, with a master鈥檚 degree in journalism, has been writing about the sport for more than half of that time. He鈥檚 a cycling generalist who finds joy in riding road, gravel, and mountain bikes.

Samantha Boon has turned wrenches in bike shops, worked in trail advocacy, and written for several cycling media titles. She鈥檚 an avid rider and professional communicator who is able to convey the features and benefits of the products she tests in an approachable manner.

Robbie Jackson doesn鈥檛 just ride bikes; he also builds them. In addition to being a fabricator, Jackson enjoys off-roading and overlanding, making him the perfect candidate to stress-test bike racks on the back of his Ford Raptor.

The post These Are the Best Bike Racks on the Market appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Few things can tank morale on a camping trip like a bad night鈥檚 sleep. Fortunately, with plenty of stellar sleeping pad options out there, there鈥檚 no reason for your gear to prevent you from getting your beauty sleep, especially when you鈥檙e car camping and you鈥檝e got the room to go big. We spent 42 nights sleeping on a variety of pads (and even cots) that prioritize comfort over weight and packability鈥攆rom smart options designed for literal car campers to pads so plush they can pull double duty as a guest room mattress. These provided us with the best nights of sleep.

Updated May 2025: We added six new pads to this list, including our new “Best Overall” pick, the NEMO Roamer Double Sleeping Pad. We also updated pricing and info on the Big Agnes Circleback, a pad we previously tested but still recommend.听

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best for Camping In Your Car:
• Best Value:
• Easiest Inflation:
• Most Luxurious:
• Most Efficient:
• Most Sustainable:
• Other Sleeping Pads We Tested
• How to Choose Your Sleeping Pad
• How We Test
• Meet Our Main Testers

Don’t miss: The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style

Best Overall

NEMO Roamer Double Sleeping Pad

Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz
Thickness: 4.0 in
Available sizes: XL Wide, Double
Dimensions: 78鈥� x 52鈥� (double)
R-value: 6

Pros and Cons
鈯� Supple upper
鈯� Best in test for deflation/packing
鈯� Expensive

The Nemo Roamer, available as a double or extra-wide single pad, is our top pick because of how comfortable it is and how easy it is to deflate and pack. We only tested the double, which at 78-by-52 inches, was generous enough to comfortably fit two adults and a six-year-old child.

The Jackson family put in over a dozen nights on the double version while camping, and we even used it as a guest room mattress for visitors. The deluxe four-way stretch polyester fabric and TPU topper is incredibly soft next-to-skin. That four-way stretch fabric also makes the NEMO Roamer one of the quieter pads we tested鈥攊t didn鈥檛 crinkle or rustle like unbrushed polyester pads do鈥攚hen our very mobile six-year-old sleeper thrashed around through the night. One tester noted that it felt like the mattress conformed to her body even when it was stiffly inflated. It also lived up to its R-value of 6: One tester found it offered plenty of insulation from the cold ground on a 28-degree night on the Scott River in California.

The Roamer Double was one of the few self-inflating mattresses in our test that actually completely self-inflated in about 15 minutes thanks to the pad鈥檚 large air channels (that鈥檚 not exactly fast, but it鈥檚 respectable for a double pad this thick). Testers who wanted to speed up inflation time or preferred a firmer surface used the included inflation bag. When it came to packing up the Roamer, every tester noted how quickly the pad deflated thanks to the very efficient dual deflate valve system. We let out all the air in about 90 seconds in a single roll鈥攁 revelation for seasoned car campers used to having to roll and re-roll pads during packdown to get all of the air out. Packed down into its duffel bag it鈥檚 about the size of a couch cushion.

We really have no complaints about the Roamer. It鈥檚 one of the priciest double mattresses on the market, but it also affords exceptional comfort for a camping mattress. If you鈥檙e on a budget and don鈥檛 need a double, the XL Wide pad (78鈥� x 30鈥�, $250) offers the exact same tech specs at a more palatable price.

Best for Camping In Your Car

Luno AIR + FOAM PRO Camping Mattress

Weight: 6 lbs
Thickness: 4鈥�
Available sizes: Short, Regular, Tall
Dimensions: 72鈥� x 25鈥� (regular)
R-value: 11.4

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile for car and tent camping
鈯� Incredibly durable base
鈯� Topper not as supple as others in price range

Luno has been at the forefront of making ultra-plush sleeping mattresses specifically designed to fit in the back of vehicles for literal car campers. The 4-inch thick Camping Mattress uses Luno鈥檚 Air + Foam technology, which sandwiches open cell foam between sturdier protective layers to create a memory foam mattress-like cushion and serious insulation (11.4 R-value). It also comes with a head support bridge that connects the mattress to a car seat headrest to bridge the rear footwell and maximize every inch of sleeping space.

But the Camping Mattress isn鈥檛 just for those who camp in their cars. At 72 inches by 25 inches (regular), the rectangular mattress fits as seamlessly in the back of a Honda Element as in a crowded four-person tent.

With a 150-TPU bottom, this mattress was one of the most rugged we tested. Testers used it on a volcanic rock-strewn campground along the Klamath River and it came back with nothing more than minor scratches. The 30-denier elastic polyester upper is just as hardy, and while comfortable enough to sleep on without a cover sheet, it鈥檚 not as supple against your cheek as other mattresses in the $250-plus price range.

The Luno Camping Mattress landed in the middle of the pack when it came to inflation time. While Luno claims it self-inflates in 60 seconds, we found that we had to top it off with its included inflation bag to make it sleep-ready, bringing the total inflation time closer to two minutes. But when it came to packing up, testers loved how tidily the Camping Mattress rolled up and cinched down in Luno鈥檚 cam-strap headrest accessory. Once rolled up, the Camping Mattress was about the size of a pillow.

Best Value

Kelty Kush Airbed

Weight: 4 lbs 15 oz
Thickness: 6鈥�
Available sizes: Queen
Dimensions: 79″ x 55.5″
R-value: N/A

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable
鈯� Included rechargeable pump
鈯� Packs down small
鈯� Loud topper
鈯� Not comfortable against bare skin

Unlike the other pads on this list, the Kelty Kush Airbed does not offer fancy foam integrations, a luxuriously brushed topper, or self-inflation system. But it made this list because it costs a fraction of what other mats cost and still offers enough warmth, comfort, durability, and air retention to get one tester through a 35-degree night camping in late fall near Mt. Ashland, Oregon.

At a whopping six inches thick, it was the fattest mattress in our test, which likely explains its ability to handle near freezing temps even without the foam you find in other pads. The lack of internal foam also means the Kush Airbed packs down smaller (to about the size of a laptop) than other mats at this thickness.

While not self-inflating, it easily blew up in about four minutes with its included USB rechargeable pump, which holds a charge really well. One tester was able to inflate the Airbed and top off three other pads on a single charge. The Kush held air like a champ, remaining plenty sturdy with no need for top-offs during a weekend trip in Ashland, Oregon.

A few niggles: The zip-zip sound of a tester tossing and turning on the mat鈥檚 peached polyester upper drove his tent mate nuts. That top was also pretty rough against skin, an issue easily mitigated by staying in our sleeping bags or packing a top sheet.

Easiest Inflation

DOD Soto Sleeping Pad

Weight: 13.9 lbs (medium)
Thickness: 4鈥�
Available sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Dimensions: 82鈥� x 45鈥� (medium)
R-value: 8.3

Pros and Cons
鈯� Best-in-test inflation
鈯� Soft, cotton upper
鈯� Bulky valves were ankle hazards

The Soto鈥檚 dual valve inflation system proved the most user-friendly in our test. Using either the pump integrated into the included pillow or our own electric pump, we had the Soto sleep-ready in under a minute.

While it didn鈥檛 boast the highest R-value in our test, its four-inch-thickness and open cell foam insulated one tester on a night that dipped below freezing on the Scott River in California. The Soto was the only sleeping pad in our test that featured a polyester-cotton upper, which made it feel more naturally soft and comfortable to the touch. It also proved surprisingly durable thanks to its hardy TPU-coated polyester body material: Six rowdy, cooped-up kids used the Soto as a wrestling mat during a wet, three-day camping trip and it looked no worse for wear after a light towel cleaning. What鈥檚 more, it remained fully inflated and needed no top-ups even after that multi-day ruckus.

The Soto comes in three available sizes (small, medium, large), and all are the same height (82 inches), so you should consider the number of sleepers rather than sleeper height when choosing the right size for you. We tested the 82-by-54-inch large pad, which was big enough to sleep two adults and a six-year-old.

Our only complaint: The dual air valves that make the Soto so easy to inflate are bulky鈥攖hey stick out from the top of the air mattress and proved to be trip hazards in one family鈥檚 crowded tent.

Most Luxurious

ExPed Megamat Duo

Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz (queen)
Thickness: 4鈥�
Available sizes: Medium, Long-Wide+, Queen
Dimensions: 80鈥� x 60鈥�
R-value: 8.1

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely durable
鈯� Includes carrying handles
鈯� Inefficient pump
鈯� Long inflation time

We have been testing versions of the ExPed Megamat for over three years now and can confidently say that it sets the benchmark for comfort and warmth in the camp mattress category. This year, ExPed updated the iconic mattress by coring out 30 percent of the foam to make it less bulky and improve packability. The result is a mattress that still delivers the same R-value (8.1) as the previous model and some of the best cushioning on the market in a package that is easier to roll up and store.

The ample foam in the interior meant that the Megamat Duo was still extremely comfortable even when not stiffly inflated, something side-sleepers appreciated. Aside from the Nemo Roamer Double, this mattress was the most comfortable in our test. Case in point: One tester slept on the Megamat Duo for seven straight days on a camping trip in Crescent City, California, then slept on it in a guest bedroom at home for two more weeks.

Its recycled 50-denier polyester and TPU polyether-laminated upper showed three superficial scuffs after our kid stress testers put it through the wringer as a play mattress, but it held air and its 75-denier polyester bottom looked no worse for wear after the unfair treatment. Another small detail we really appreciated about the Megamat Duo: The included handles made it the easiest two-person mattress we tested to move around once inflated.

The MegaMat is an exceptionally plush pad once inflated, but it was the most challenging of the high-end pads to inflate. While it self-inflates to some extent, it requires pretty extensive top-up with the included pump, which worked at half the speed and required double the effort compared to other hand and foot pumps we tested. When all was said and done, it took about eight minutes to fully inflate this pad with the pump and some hard labor.

Lightest Foam Mattress

Klymit Insulated Klymaloft Sleeping Pad

Weight: 3.1 lbs (extra large)
Thickness: 3.5鈥�
Available sizes: Regular, XL, Double
Dimensions: 72鈥� x 23鈥� (regular)
R-value: 7

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredible comfort-to-weight ratio
鈯� Cush upper
鈯� Not as comfortable when not stiffly inflated

Testers loved the Klymaloft for its integrated soft stretch-knit polyester fabric cover鈥攃onsidered the most luxurious topper after the top-rated Nemo Roamer. No need to remember a separate topsheet. The supple, sheet-like cover only spans 80 percent of the mattress (where you need it most), minimizing additional weight and bulk while maximizing comfort.

The combination of the plush foam topper and the i-beam air chambers created an excellent sleeping platform for testers who prefer a stiffer mattress but was not as comfortable at lower PSIs compared to the other premium mattresses on this list. That foam and i-beam combo also gives the Klymaloft a respectable R-value of 7, offering enough insulation for nights that dipped into the low 40s.

At just 4.4 pounds, the Klymaloft is pounds lighter than the other full-size, foam-integrated mattresses on this list鈥攕omething one tester greatly appreciated after setting up a campsite a quarter mile from where he parked on the Scott River in California. While we rarely had to lug our testing mattresses long distances, weight is worth considering if you want something more portable than the plushest car camping pads.

While not self-inflating, the Klymaloft鈥檚 straightforward, twist-pull valve made inflation painless with an electric pump. It was also one of the quickest and easiest pads to deflate and pack up, taking fewer than four minutes to fully deflate fully and roll up into its stuff sack. Packed down, it鈥檚 roughly the size of a 5-gallon jug鈥攕till too large to take backpacking, but significantly smaller than the other single mattresses on this list.

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EXPED Ultra 1R Mummy Sleeping Pad

When the weather’s warm and every ounce counts, the EXPED Ultra 1R Mummy Sleeping Pad is perfect for backpacking trips and summer excursions. Made to fit underneath your mummy bag, it features a 7 cm thick air cushion to support your body weight with air chambers that run head to toe. The included Schnozzel Pumpbag means you don’t need to huff and puff to blow up the sleeping pad, while the 20-denier ripstop provides abrasion resistance without adding to pack weight.

Most Sustainable

Big Agnes Circleback

Weight: 2.1 lbs
Thickness: 4.5鈥�
Available sizes: Regular, Long
Dimensions: 72鈥� x 25鈥� (regular)
R-value: 4.7

Pros and Cons
鈯� Circularly recyclable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Hard to fit back into the stuff sack

In the world of sustainable product design, the gold standard is circularity鈥攊tems made so that they can be broken down and remade without a constant input of new materials and output of waste. We鈥檝e never tested a camping pad that achieves that standard鈥攗ntil the Circleback, which uses a TPU air bladder that is 100-percent recyclable and an insulating cover made entirely of recycled and recyclable polyester. When it鈥檚 time to retire the pad, Big Agnes will take it back and reuse every last scrap.

Sustainability aside, the Circleback鈥檚 modular insulation system is worth close consideration from anyone looking for a classic, do-it-all inflatable sleeping pad. With the removable cover, the Circleback has an R-value of 4.7, making it plenty comfortable in three seasons.One tester stayed warm and snug on an October trip in the North Cascades with overnight temps around freezing. Without the cover, the Circleback becomes a stripped down, lightweight summer pad.

Testers praised the extra polyester insulation, cushioning, and noise-muffling properties the polyester taffeta removable cover affords, but some testers found themselves sliding off the slick surface. 鈥淓ven at a flat tent site, I woke up a couple mornings on the ground, with the pad next to me,鈥� said a Seattle-based tester who used the 4.5-inch-thick pad on a three-night trip outside of Bozeman, Montana. Keeping the pad at a moderate to low firmness helped, but testers cautioned that it might not be ideal for restless sleepers.

The whole kit packs down to 6-by-13 inches (regular), making it a solid option for short backpacking trips where the priority is comfort over size or weight.

Other Products We Tested

• : The Arpenaz offers great value, and we found it extremely comfortable when coupled with a cot, but it didn鈥檛 provide enough insulation on colder nights to be one of our picks for campers who sleep on the ground.
• : While this pad has the potential to double as a car camping mattress and a base-camp style backpacking pad, it lacks some of the comfort details car campers look for in a mattress.
• : The Campmeister truly amazed testers with its incredibly light weight coupled with its respectable R-value of 7, but it didn鈥檛 impress testers as much in the comfort department.

How to Choose Your Sleeping Pad

Foam-Filled vs. Air-Filled Sleeping Pads

Self-inflating foam pads should inflate most of the way within roughly a half hour, depending on the model, and come with inflation sacks or pumps to finish the job. Our favorite pumps have a snug connection point with the pad and a large air chamber that鈥檚 easy to roll and push with minimal effort. Campers who don鈥檛 want to wait can invest in an electric pump, like Exped鈥檚 battery-operated Widget Pump. Almost all foam-insulated camping pads have high enough R-Values for winter camping (above 5), but it鈥檚 worth double-checking the rating if your adventures will include sub-freezing nights.

Sleeping Pad R-Value

This ubiquitous term will inevitably crop up when searching for the most appropriate pad for your outdoor activity. R-value is a universal measurement that rates a sleeping pad鈥檚 ability to resist heat transfer. R-values in sleeping pads typically range from 1-7, but some go well beyond R-7, especially in the case of car camping pads or expedition-level pads.

A pad with an R-value up to 2 works in temps with an expected nighttime low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit; an R-value between 2 and 3.9 works in temps with an expected nighttime low of 32 degrees; an R-value between 4 and 5.4 works in temps with an expected nighttime low as cold as 15 degrees; and a pad with an R-value of 5.5 or higher works in temps down to an expected nighttime low of zero degrees.

Pads with R-values above 7鈥攕uch as luxury car camping mattresses, self-inflating foam pads, or heavy-duty expedition mats鈥攐ffer extreme insulation for subzero temperatures, but also serve cold sleepers in more moderate temps (around freezing). Some premium car camping mattresses or self-inflating pads can reach R-values of 10 or higher, offering maximum comfort and warmth retention. These extremely high R-values are particularly useful when sleeping directly on cold ground, frozen surfaces, or inside unheated vehicles. While backpackers often aim for the lowest R-value that still keeps them safe, car campers may want to consider pads with R-values of 7 or higher since a pad鈥檚 weight and packability are not high priorities when accessing a campsite by car.

Does Packability Matter for a Sleeping Pad?

When you鈥檙e car camping, packability isn鈥檛 as big of a concern as when you鈥檙e backpacking and need to cram all of your gear into one bag. For that reason, the best sleeping pads tend to be thick, wide, and much heavier than their backpacking counterparts. Still, if you have a small car or limited storage, packed size might still be a major consideration. Some of the sleeping pads on this list pack down quite small (about the size of a large bag of potato chips), while others are beasts.

What Kind of Materials Do Sleeping Pads Use?

Aim for a higher-denier material on both the top and bottom of the pad, especially if you plan on dragging it outside for stargazing, or share your bed with a canine. While many backpacking pads use nylon uppers for weight savings and better durability, most car camping pads feature a polyester upper material to balance durability and next-to-skin comfort. Some of our favorite car camping mattresses on this list even feature brushed (or peached) polyester or stretch-knit uppers for enhanced comfort.

How We Test

• Number of Pads Tested: 12
• Number of Testers: 15
• Number of Days Camped: 42
• Number of states tested in: 3
• Number of kids lightly injured while wrestling on mats: 4

We set up three different main camps with these mattresses and invited 13 testers to use them as 鈥済uest beds鈥� and provide feedback on comforts or grievances. During the camping trips, we encouraged a lightly feral group of seven children to wrestle and play on the mats to rapid test their durability. To test air retention in a more controlled setting, we inflated all the mattresses and left them inflated for four days in an insulated garage where temps fluctuated from the high fifties to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Then we hand tested them. For one last layer of nuance, test director Joe Jackson spent at least one night on every one of these mattresses in a guestroom that he often sleeps in to offer his wife respite from his snoring.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Joe Jackson听has been testing gear professionally for 国产吃瓜黑料 for over a decade. By his best estimation, he has tested over 75 sleeping pads ranging from gram pinching ultra light backpacking pads to the luxurious mattress-replacing numbers you see on this list.

Miyo McGinn is a former assistant editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. Miyo got her start reviewing gear as 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear editorial assistant in 2021.

Saylor Flett runs the outdoor recreation and leadership program at Feather River College in Quincy, California. He has slept on sleeping pads in a cave in Yosemite for a month and on hundreds of riverbanks.

Josie Jackson is Joe Jackson’s seven-year-old daughter and arguably the most mobile sleeper of our 16 testers. She is also the least likely to be subject to brand bias because she could care less about who makes a sleeping pad, just if it’s comfortable.

More Gear Reviews

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The Best Backpacks, Duffels, and Roller Bags for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel

The post The 7 Best Sleeping Pads for Car Campers and Restless Sleepers appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Every woman is built differently and has a different idea of what makes the perfect sports bra. But every woman wants (and deserves) a bra that is comfortable and supportive, and lets her do activities with zero distraction. In light of that, we had a team of testers鈥攁ll different sizes鈥攖ry more than 30 of the latest sports bras while hiking, climbing, practicing yoga, running, weightlifting, and more to find the models that delivered the best performance and comfort for a variety of different types of bodies, conditions, and activities.

Update April 2025: We鈥檝e replaced the sports bras in four categories, added three new categories (best for summer, best for wearing a pack, and best simple running bra) and changed the categories of two we carried over from the fall round-up.

At A Glance

• Best for Hot Weather:
• Best for Wearing on Its Own:
• Best for High Impact:
• Best for Low Impact:
• Best for Large Chests:
• Best Adjustable:
• Best for Wearing With a Pack:
• Best for Carrying a Phone on the Run:
• Best Value:
• Best Simple Running Bra:
• How to Choose Sports Bras
• How We Tested
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Be sure to also check out our picks for the best women’s running shirts and tank tops.

Best for Hot Weather

Patagonia Live Simply Bra

Sizes: 齿齿厂鈥揦尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Minimal and comfortable
鈯� Dries extremely quickly
鈯� Can fit a little loose under the arms

We鈥檝e worn this bra hiking in 106-degree heat, sweaty weight-lifting sessions, running in all sorts of weather, and jumping in and out of lakes. This bra remained comfortable throughout all of those athletic activities and even while working at a desk for hours.

Its bonded seam construction lies flat and smooth with zero irritation, and the extremely lightweight, soft, 100-percent polyester tricot fabric dries ridiculously quickly. We appreciated that, along with the anti-microbial treatment (HeiQ Mint) that combated odors when we kept the bra on after workouts. Because it doesn鈥檛 contain Spandex, the bra isn鈥檛 as supportive as some others, but it also doesn鈥檛 stretch out as much. It鈥檚 best for low-impact, or any activity for A to C cups.

Best for Wearing on Its Own

Janji Pace Sports Bra

Sizes: 齿齿厂鈥揦齿齿尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Best range of sizes among pull-over bras
鈯� Unique, flattering and supportive straps
鈯� Removable pads come out in wash

This seemingly simple sports bra has design details we fell in love with鈥攁 flattering neckline with double straps, positioned narrower than most, that weave between each other when they cross mid back. This bra proved supportive enough even for C- to D-cup testers doing high-impact activities like running and jumping. 鈥淣ice encapsulation and I love the cross back with support!鈥� said one. 鈥淵ou don’t usually get 鈥榗ute鈥� with 鈥榮upportive.鈥欌€� We wore this skate skiing, running, cycling, and, when a tester couldn鈥檛 find her bikini, at swim lessons with her son. This bra proved comfortable and up to the task for all activities.

Best for High Impact

Rabbit UtiliBRA-vo

Sizes: 齿厂鈥揦尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� 脺ber-secure phone pocket
鈯� Classic racerback fit
鈯� Not the most breathable

If you love classic racerback bras, add a few of these to your underwear drawer. Chances are good they鈥檒l fit and support you well, as one of our testers raved: 鈥淭he fabric hits a sweet spot of compression that I think will please 85 percent of runners鈥攏ot too much, not too little.鈥� This bra also has the most secure back phone pocket we鈥檝e ever used, without being over-designed. 鈥淢ost phone pocket bras try to be all fancy and featured and space-agey,鈥� another tester said. 鈥淭his is the first one I鈥檝e tried that鈥檚 basically just a regular old racerback, both in terms of fit and looks.鈥� The polyester-spandex fabric is slightly thicker than the other favorites, making it a great choice for high-impact activities year-round.

Best for Low Impact

Under Armour UA Infinity 2.0 Low 听

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Sizes: 齿厂鈥揦尝, Cups A鈥揅 and D鈥揇DD

Pros and Cons
鈯� Built-in padding doesn鈥檛 come loose
鈯� Soft, comfortable, breathable
鈯� Can be hard to find a perfect fit

This good-looking, lightly padded sports bra is offered at a steal of a price. We loved how there aren鈥檛 any irritating seams and that the injection-molded padding鈥檚 strategic patterning gave the bra a lightweight, breathable feel. We found the bra dried quickly even after working up a big sweat, which we loved for keeping us from feeling gross underneath our clothes when running errands on the way home from a workout.

The pullover design and lack of a clasp on the backside makes this a great choice for workouts that include mat work, like belly-up core work, Pilates, and yoga moves. And the mesh panel on the back 鈥渁dds breathability without any distractions,鈥� said a tester.

Not only does the built-in padding eliminate the problems of losing a pad in the washing machine or having to uncrumple removable pads every time we put on the bra (truly, the worst), but we found the shape flattering and not excessive. Note that some testers found that the material buckled on the sides鈥攁lthough with so many size options, they thought they could likely find an ideal fit with a different size/cup combination.

Best for Large Chests

Brooks Crossback 2.0

Sizes: 30鈥�40 band, AB鈥揇DE cup

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely comfortable
鈯� Molded cups stay put
鈯� Only medium impact for the largest of chests

The Brooks Crossback 2.0 bra is not the absolute most supportive sports bra for large chests during the highest impact activities, but for virtually everything else, we loved its ability to support us comfortably. While most bras intended for bigger chests achieve support by either compressing tightly or encapsulating with stiff materials, zippers, and/or burly fasteners, the Crossback 2.0 utilizes strategic engineering鈥攔einforced materials in the shoulder straps and chest band鈥攁nd a wide range of size options for an almost custom fit. Testers loved how this bra鈥檚 smooth, flat crossback straps didn鈥檛 dig into shoulders and worked great under a backpack, as well as the lack of irritating seams and the soft but effective encapsulation.

鈥淭his works nicely for medium-impact activities without smashing you to death,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淟ove the snug fit of the material, but not snug as in too tight,鈥� said another. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 say enough,鈥� gushed yet another. 鈥淚鈥檓 obsessed with this bra and how this bra performs and that it never chafes me at all.鈥�

Our team wore this bra skiing, hiking, weightlifting, cycling, and running, and only one tester craved more support while running. The bra dries quickly from sweat or after washing and is comfortable during prolonged wear.

Best Adjustable Fit

Tracksmith Allston Adjustable Bra

Sizes: 齿厂鈥揕

Pros and Cons
鈯� Adjustable shoulder straps and chest strap
鈯� Convertible to racerback
鈯� Clip can be felt in racerback mode

This bra is adjustable three ways: the chest band has three clips for dialing size around the ribcage, the shoulder straps are length-adjustable, and the bra can convert to racerback via a clip in the middle of the back, which puts it in high-impact-support mode. The racerback clip can be switched back and forth during one workout. 鈥淚 love the adjustability and the smooth fabric,鈥� said a tester who wore the bra while hiking, biking, and running. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great bra for someone who might end up wearing a sports bra all day because of logistics, but who wants to ease off the intensity for apr茅s workout.鈥� The Allston Adjustable is made of Tracksmith鈥檚 luxuriously smooth nylon-elastane blend, with interior cups lined with nylon-elastane blend powermesh, which enhances compressive support.

Best for Wearing With a Pack

Oiselle Flyout Bra

Sizes: 2鈥�14

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide, flat seams remain comfortable under a vest or pack
鈯� Full coverage provides modesty
鈯� Thicker material can feel warm

The Oiselle Flyout Bra has been a favorite among testers for its ability to carry a phone comfortably and securely in the mesh pocket midback. But we also love this bra for its wide, flat shoulder straps that stay comfortable under fully loaded hydration vests and backpacks. We鈥檝e worn this bra for long days on the trail with a hydration vest and have never experienced chafing. The wide chest band and shoulder straps provide ample coverage and combine with compressive fabric for support, even for our large-chested testers. We love that this bra comes in a wide range of sizes, like women鈥檚 dress clothes, so you can find a perfect fit (use the size guide on the Oiselle website to help).

Best for Carrying a Phone on the Run

Rabbit Strappy Pocket Bra

Sizes: 齿厂鈥揦尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Carries a phone midback
鈯� Cute enough to wear on its own
鈯� Thin shoulder straps can dig in under a pack

The Rabbit Strappy Pocket Bra has become our lead tester鈥檚 go-to for travel. It鈥檚 a simple, good-looking sports bra that carries a phone or hotel key card easily and comfortably, and it packs down small, especially with the pads removed. The bra also stays put while diving into bodies of water (ocean, lake) post-run and dries fairly quickly afterward, ready for the next outing. The thin shoulder straps and lower neckline give the bra a stylish, flattering appeal while still providing support and coverage. The next-to-skin liner, made from a material that uses recycled coffee grounds, feels cool, helps control odor (another travel bonus), and helps the bra dry quickly.

Best Value

Nike Swoosh Medium Support

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Sizes: 齿齿厂鈥揦齿尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fixed cups mean no pads to lose
鈯� Durable, long-lasting comfort
鈯� Pads, if you鈥檙e not a fan of them

One tester has been wearing an earlier version of this sports bra for close to 20 years. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been all over the world while keeping me comfortable running, cycling, hiking, Nordic skiing, etc.,鈥� she says. The simple, pull-on style bra wicks sweat and remains comfortable for hours. The newest version of this do-anything, durable bra comes with light padding built in (no slipping, no losing the padding in the wash), and is made with sustainable, recycled polyester materials. Its $40 price point makes it among the least expensive sports bras out there, and while it鈥檚 classified as 鈥渕edium support,鈥� it can function as high support across a range of activities for smaller chest sizes. It also lasts for-e-ver.

Best Simple Running Bra

Janji Infinity Sports Bra

Sizes: 齿齿厂鈥揦齿齿尝

Pros and Cons
鈯� Reversible
鈯� No clasps on backside
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 dry as quickly as some others

There is something to be said for a simple, no frills sports bra鈥攏o pads, no clasps, just a traditional pullover racerback. The Janji Infiniti Bra is just that, and testers appreciated its 鈥渘o fuss鈥� functionality. The lack of clasps on the back make this a good bra for doing mat work: stretching and exercising on your back after a run, or for activities like yoga and Pilates. One tester said she鈥檚 looking forward to wearing this while on an SUP or even swimming, while another said the full-coverage cut (it effectively covers side-boob, for most) 鈥渋s appropriate for stripping down in front of strangers.鈥�

We love that this bra is reversible. The triple-layer construction of nylon/spandex with a polyester mesh sandwiched between the two color options provided enough compressive support for all but our largest-chested runners. Those three layers also make the bra take a bit longer than other bras to dry from sweat or while air-drying after washing. But for two bras in one, we鈥檒l take it.

How to Choose Sports Bras

When shopping for the best sports bras for you, you need to consider four factors: intended usage, comfort, support, and breathability.

Usage

Are you looking for a bra to wear on its own or under your clothes? Will you be wearing it with a running hydration pack or hiking backpack? Do you want to be able to do yoga, Pilates, or other exercises on your back (and so, don鈥檛 want clasps or hooks back there)? Do you need your bra to carry your phone (or do you always wear a pack or pockets elsewhere)?

Comfort

Comfort is personal. Nothing can replace trying on the bra to ensure it fits your body and the fabric feels good against your skin. Each brand sizes their bras differently, so be sure to try on a range of sizes.

Support

When it comes to support, different categories like 鈥渓ow impact鈥� and 鈥渕edium support鈥� can be confusing because different brands define them in different ways, and the amount of support needed for various activities completely varies by the individual. In general, bras marketed for low-impact activities like yoga, hiking, or cycling will offer less support and technical features than those for high-impact activities, like running or HIIT classes. On the flip side, bras designed to offer higher support may be less breathable and more constricting.

If you have a small cup size, you may find that low- and medium-support bras work perfectly well for high-impact activities, but women with larger cup sizes often need those 鈥渉igh support鈥� bras even for some low-impact activities. Whatever you choose, know that the bra鈥檚 underband鈥攖he most important part for support鈥攕hould fit securely but not so tightly that you can鈥檛 breathe. (Studies have shown that tight sports bras can restrict breathing and affect running performance.) The straps should not dig into your skin or leave red marks when you take the bra off.

Breathability

Too much sweat accumulation on a bra is not only uncomfortable but unhygienic, trapping bacteria on your skin and back. Sport-specific fabric blends鈥攐ften made with polyester, nylon, or merino wool鈥攕hould have strong moisture-wicking properties, and bras made of thinner fabric will allow more heat and perspiration to pass through.

How We Tested

• Number of testers: 11
• Number of bras tested: 22
• Hours working out in test bras: 500
• Toughest testing conditions: Two-plus hours whitewater paddling and then hiking from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim while carrying a full backpack full of gear. Close second: Downhill skiing with a toddler.

We wore these bras for running, cycling, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, yoga, hiking, dog walking, camping, and working at a desk. Every tester wears a different size, ranging from A to DDD cups. If at least two testers agreed that a bra was comfortable and functional, it made our short list. Then we narrowed down the contenders based on functionality for various sports, style, and price.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung lives and works in Boulder, Colorado, where she writes, edits, and tests gear by doing a variety of outdoor winter sports: running (road, trail, and full-on mountain), Nordic skiing, snowboarding, dog-walking, etc. She also does yoga and lifts weights, sometimes by carrying flagstones around her yard and doing overhead squats and chest presses with a digging bar. She likes to get sh** done while strength training.

The post The Best Sports Bras for Summer 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When taking a sleeping bag deep into the backcountry or high into the alpine, you have to balance comfort with portability鈥攜ou do have to drag them up there, after all. This is not the case with a car camping sleeping bag.

As far as we鈥檙e concerned, car camping is all about comfort鈥攕ave the rehydrated meals and paper-thin foam sleeping pads for the backcountry. And if there鈥檚 any part of your kit where you shouldn鈥檛 cut corners, it鈥檚 your bedding. The scenery always looks that much nicer after a good night鈥檚 sleep.

The good news about shopping for sleeping bags in 2025 is that there鈥檚 something for every type of camper, but the downside of that abundance is that it can be hard to parse all the models and features to find what you really want. Our testers, a mix of men, women, and children with different sleeping preferences (hot/cold; side, stomach, back sleepers, etc.) put 24 sleeping bags and blankets to the test on cold, windy shoulder-season trips and balmy summer nights. These sleeping bags and quilts came out on top.

Updated April 2025: We added five new sleeping bags to this list, including our new “Best Overall” pick, the Rumpl Wrap Sack. We also updated pricing and info on the sleeping bags we previously included and still highly recommend.听

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best Value:
• Roomiest:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Families:
• Best Blanket:
• Best Wearable Bag:
• Other Sleeping Bags We Tested
• How to Choose a Sleeping Bag for Camping
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Don’t miss: The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style

Best Overall

Rumpl Wrap Sack Sleeping Bag 20

Weight: 5 lbs
Sizes: Standard
Dimensions: 82鈥� x 35鈥�
Comfort rating: 20-30F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide temperature range
鈯� Roomy
鈯� Smart design
鈯� Too cold below 30F
鈯� Clips could be uncomfortable to roll on

This unique sleeping bag is the most comfortable and innovative bag we鈥檝e tested in a while.

The best way to describe the Wrap Sack is a hybrid between a sleeping bag and an adult swaddle. Two wings on either side of the bag offer two different amounts of Rumpl鈥檚 proprietary recycled synthetic insulation. Depending on how mild or chilly it is at night, you can wrap one or both of these sides around yourself and secure them via four easy-to-close clips; when it鈥檚 cold out, zip the outer layer of the Wrap Sack like a traditional sleeping bag.

This layering design made the Wrap Sack versatile enough to accommodate big temperature swings at night. It proved ideal for summer nights that start out in the 80s and drop down into the 40s, which is common in the parts of far Northern California where we tested. That said, one tester cautioned that the Wrap Sack does not have enough insulation to live up to its stated 20-degree comfort rating. Even with the bag fully cinched, he woke up cold on a 28-degree night on the Scott River in California.

While it鈥檚 not a bag for nights that dip below freezing, the Wrap Sack鈥檚 ability to handle big temperature swings above 32 degrees and its roominess made it a tester favorite.The rectangular shaped bag allowed active sleepers enough space to toss and turn, and our 6鈥�2鈥� tester had enough room to stretch out even with the Wrap Sack鈥檚 hood stuffed with a camp pillow.

Even after over 20 days in the field and two machine washes, the robust, fully-recycled nylon exterior showed no visible wear. The Wrap Sack packs down to the size of a watermelon鈥攏ot exactly small, but smaller than the Big Agnes Echo Park, the other extra-roomy option on this list.

Best Value

The North Face Wawona 20 Sleeping Bag

Weight: Regular 4.9 lbs (Regular); 5.3 lbs (Long)
Sizes: Regular, Long
Dimensions: 78鈥� x 32鈥� (Regular)
Comfort rating: 20F and 35F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Good value
鈯� Soft liner fabric
鈯� Incorporates recycled materials
鈯� Large pack down size for a single
鈯� Comfort rating is off
鈯� No hood

The Wawona is reasonably priced yet doesn鈥檛 feel like a budget bag. Testers gave it top marks for its next-to-skin comfort thanks to a cozy, brushed high-pile fleece that comprised the top interior of the bag. At 78 inches by 32 inches (regular), this rectangular bag is also comfortably roomy.

With only a $10 price difference between the 20-degree and 35-degree versions, we opted to test the Wawona 20 to see how well it performed in lower temps. While the recycled polyester fill proved sufficient in 40-degree temps, testers noted that it didn鈥檛 live up to its stated 20-degree comfort rating. The lack of a hood left one tester wishing he had worn a beanie and needing to layer up in a down jacket to make it comfortable during a 28-degree night on the Scott River in Northern California. We would have expected a bag that packs down to no smaller than a five-gallon cooler to have more insulation power.

Still, testers had plenty of good things to say about this more affordable sleeping bag. The 50-denier polyester ripstop outer proved surprisingly durable鈥攊t was no worse for wear after we used the Wawona as a blanket on bare, rocky ground for some stargazing. And the hearty YKK zipper (usually the first thing to go on a budget bag) worked just as well after a season of camping as it did at the start. One tester especially appreciated the storage pocket built into the bag鈥檚 lining at chest height, where he stashed his essential ear plugs when not in use.

And perhaps the Wawona鈥檚 biggest flex: At such a reasonable price, campers could buy two Wawona bags and zip them together to enjoy an affordable double bag.

Roomiest

Big Agnes Echo Park

Weight: 4 lb 16 oz
Sizes: Regular
Dimensions: 80鈥� x 30鈥�
Comfort rating: 0F and 20F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Good value
鈯� Roomy design
鈯� Integrated pad and pillow sleeves
鈯� Heavy and bulky

While technically a little bit smaller than Rumpl Wrap Sack, the Big Agnes Echo Park is the roomiest traditional bag we tested with a higher temperature rating, making this our top pick for larger campers who want a comfortable, spacious bag that can hack it in lower temps.

The Echo Park comes in 0-, 20-, and 35-degree temperature ratings and uses Big Agnes鈥� proprietary FireLine Max Eco synthetic insulation. We tested the 20-degree version ($200) to see how it stacked up to the other bags in the same price range (at 0 degrees, the Echo Park bumps up to $230). It proved toasty on a 28-degree night in Northern California, yet testers were also able to dump enough heat via full-length zippers on the either side to stay comfortable on nights that didn鈥檛 dip below 60 Fahrenheit. The cotton-polyester blend on the interior felt supple next to skin and as comfortable as our bedding at home.

Big Agnes lists max user height for the Echo Park as 6鈥�6鈥�, which we found to be accurate; a 6鈥�5鈥� tester commented that this was the first bag he鈥檇 tested where his feet had room to spare. It is wide without being as boxy as the Rumpl and North Face sleeping bags on this list, with a 74-inch hip girth and a 64-inch foot girth, which feels snug but not constricting like a mummy bag. This lightly tapered design enhances space and comfort while still keeping the bag close enough to the body to help insulate.

On top of being incredibly roomy and high on the creature comfort scale, the Echo Park is packed with features we would expect to see on higher priced bags, making it a great value. The integrated sleeping pad sleeve accommodates pads as wide as 30 inches and successfully kept our pads from moving around at night; the pad sleeve also features a separate pillow pocket to keep your camp pillow in place. While incredibly comfortable, the Echo Park also proved plenty durable鈥攖he 40-denier ripstop exterior showed little wear and tear after two months of use.

The large footprint and quantity of synthetic insulation did make this bag a beast to pack down. It doesn鈥檛 get much smaller than the size of a carry-on bag, so you won鈥檛 fit the Echo Park into a backpack. But if packability isn鈥檛 a priority, this comfy, extra-roomy bag is a good buy.

Most Versatile

Kelty Supernova 20

Weight: 3 lbs (regular)
Sizes: regular and long
Dimensions: 75 inches (regular)
Comfort rating: 20F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Good temperature regulation
鈯� No hood

No single sleeping bag will be optimally comfortable and functional for every body type, sleep style, and trip destination, but for the frontcountry camper, the Kelty Supernova Down comes pretty darn close.

This summer, lead tester Miyo McGinn brought it on a very loosely planned summer road trip that she knew at the outset might include sea kayaking; backpacking in the alpine; and car camping in the mountains, desert, and beach. At each disparate location she stopped for the night, the Supernova worked beautifully鈥攊t fit comfortably in a backpacking pack, and felt light and unrestricting even when fully zipped up. The 550-fill down offered ample warmth for high elevation overnights with temps around freezing, opened up flat like a quilt for mild seaside nights with 55-degree lows, and the zipper allowed for plenty of venting for everywhere in between.

The roomy mummy-ish shape (with some extra space around the knees and hips, in addition to the shoulders, before tapering around the feet and lower legs) is particularly comfortable for side sleepers and anyone with wider hips, without sacrificing all the insulating benefits that a form-fitting cut provides.

The recycled 50-denier recycled polyester taffeta liner fabric felt buttery soft next to skin, and 20-denier recycled nylon taffeta exterior held up well over three weeks of constant use. The Supernova isn鈥檛 quite ultralight, nor does it pack down as tiny as some dedicated backpacking sleeping bags, but it still tilts the scales at a perfectly respectable 3 pounds and fits in a stuff sack about as big as a family-sized bag of potato chips.

鈥淢ost bedding that鈥檚 as luxurious as I want on a comfortable car camping trip is too bulky or too delicate for more rugged adventures, like short backpacking or sea kayaking trips鈥� said McGinn. 鈥淏ut the Supernova was great for all of the above鈥攊f it replaced all the other three-season quilts and bags in my gear closet, I wouldn鈥檛 miss them.鈥�

Best for Families

NEMO Jazz Double

Weight: 8 lbs 15 oz
Sizes: double
Dimensions: 78鈥� x 129鈥�
Comfort rating: 32F

Pros and Cons
鈯� As comfortable as home bedding
鈯� Integrated, removable bed sheet
鈯� Passed its comfort rating with flying colors
鈯� Bulky packed size

Thanks to its versatility, the NEMO Jazz Double became test director Joe Jackson鈥檚 go-to family sleeper for his crew of three last summer. The 78-by-129-inch double bag was roomy enough to comfortably sleep two adults (5鈥�9鈥� and 5鈥�11鈥�) plus a six-year-old kid. Most impressively, this 30-degree bag鈥攎ade with a supple, recycled taffeta interior, and featuring Nemo鈥檚 proprietary synthetic recycled Stratofiber insulation鈥攚orked for all three of their different heat preferences.

The double zipper pulls on either side of the bag are a smart design feature that let campers dump heat from their upper body or from their feet if they get too toasty. The Jazz Double鈥檚 incredibly soft, integrated polyester-stretch bedsheet offers an in-between layering option and proved warm enough on its own on milder nights in the 50s. Bonus: The sheet is removable for easy washing.

For a bag this plush, the Jazz Double also impressed us with its hardiness. One tester used the Jazz Double coupled with the NEMO Roamer Double sleeping pad鈥攕lipped into the bag鈥檚 integrated pad sleeve鈥攐n a night on the Scott River that was below 30 degrees and reported that it really did live up to its 32-degree comfort rating. Credit the insulated quilted layer added to the top of the pad sleeve for adding extra comfort and warmth. The bag鈥檚 50-denier recycled polyester outer also survived more than two dozen nights of camping and two washes and dries without breaking down in any visible way.

Our biggest gripe is that this almost-nine-pound bag is extremely bulky. Packed down into its stuff sack, the bag still measures 33-by-16-inches, which took up the entire driver鈥檚 side seat of one tester鈥檚 Toyota Tacoma during transport.

Best Blanket

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Quilt

Weight: 1 pound 15.4 ounces
Sizes: 0/S
Dimensions: 82鈥� x 59鈥�
Comfort rating:听N/A

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredibly versatile
鈯� Durable
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Expensive for a blanket
鈯� Not warm enough in 30-degree temps

Featuring the same sterling materials that Mountain Hardwear incorporates into its highest-end jackets, the Stretch Down Quilt is the most high-tech camp quilt we鈥檝e ever tested.

Weighing in at just shy of two pounds, this 650-fill down quilt offers an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio for a blanket. While we don鈥檛 think anyone would be comfortable using it as their sole cover on nights that dip below 40 degrees, this blanket makes a versatile layer for those who camp in milder climates where a sleeping bag would be overkill.

The stretchy 20-denier nylon and elastane exterior meant this 82-by-59-inch blanket had enough give to comfortably envelop a family of three sitting by a campfire and was notably pleasant next-to-skin. Testers also appreciated the corner snaps that let them turn this blanket into a wearable poncho for lounging around the campfire.

For how supple it feels, the Stretch Down Quilt held up admirably after we used it as a picnic blanket on abrasive volcanic rock and rocky beaches that would have shredded lesser exteriors. Its durability is a good thing, too, because at $300, we would hope to get many years out of it.

Best Wearable Bag

Mountain Hardwear Yawn Patrol 30F

Weight: 2.1 lbs
Sizes: regular, long
Dimensions: 72鈥� x 62鈥� (regular); 78鈥� x 64鈥� (long)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Convenient temperature regulation; Packability
鈯� More restrictive than some rectangular bags

Most sleeping bags that also claim to be loungewear tend to be more on the gimmicky end of the spectrum. Not the Yawn Patrol, which is a sleeping bag, quilt, and extra long poncho all in one, thanks to clever zipper design.

One smooth-running zipper extends from the top of the bag to the feet to split it into a quilt. Another runs a third of the way down for easy entry and to create sleeves for reading or drinking while inside the bag. Josie Boulding, a Union Bay, B.C.-based tester, loved the bag鈥檚 poncho mode. 鈥淚 could wear the whole thing in camp to stay warm around the campfire,鈥� she says.

Tougher, 45-denier nylon protected the bottom of the bag from dirt, while a lighter-weight 30-denier nylon top shell and the interior were both soft next to skin. When she actually slept in the nearly rectangular bag, the insulated hood with a pillow pocket, phone pocket, draft collars, and 650-fill down kept Boulding toasty and all those zippers gave the bag a huge comfort range, from the 60s to its 30-degree limit. Bonus: At just 2.1 pounds, it can be pressed into service for short backpacking trips.

Other Sleeping Bags We Tested

• :听The Xenith II had the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any bag we tested in this category. But for most car campers, this bag would be overkill, especially at this price.
• :听We tested the Exped Megasleep head-to-head with the Nemo Jazz Double. We preferred the Jazz for its supple, integrated sheet.
• : The Boost features brilliant arm holes (which doubled as vents) and a great heat-dumping center zipper, but felt like a better fit as a backpacking sleeping bag than a car camping option.

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag for Camping

Finding the ideal sleeping bag or quilt is a little like finding the ideal life partner. When you start looking, the options might seem overwhelming. But the more you focus on what you really want, the easier it is to narrow down. Here are four aspects to consider.

Seasons and Temperature Rating

Bags generally fall into three temperature categories: Summer (rated 30 degrees F and warmer); three-season (rated between 15 and 20 degrees); and winter (rated 15 degrees and lower鈥攕ome expedition bags are rated as low as -40 degrees). These temperature ratings are based on 鈥渁verage鈥� sleepers and don鈥檛 consider external factors like the thickness and rating of your sleeping pad; climatic factors like wind or humidity; or how quickly your body regulates heat loss or gain. Even if you tend to prefer cold sleeping environments, we recommend erring on the side of buying a higher temperature bag鈥攜ou can always open zippers, but making a bag warmer requires extra layers.

Camping vs. Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Car camping, or camping at a campground or near your vehicle, is about comfort: look to prioritize roominess, fabric feel, and features, like pillow pockets and multiple zippers, rather than weight and packability. Cotton, fleece, or flannel-like interior linings will make sleeping that much more cozy than the usual polyester stickiness you experience with backpacking bags. Pockets help corral slippery pillows right where you want them; an additional pocket to keep a headlamp, phone, or watch close at hand is a nice bonus feature. And extra zippers provide options for customizing warmth and lounging in camp.

What Type of Insulation Is Best in a Sleeping Bag?

Down bags are generally warmer for their weight and more compressible than bags with synthetic insulation. But if down bags get wet, they lose insulating capacity and take longer to dry out than synthetic bags. Many manufacturers use down processed with a hydrophobic chemical that prevents it from absorbing as much water. Others keep the insulation dry with a water-repellant finish or fabric.

Pay attention to fill power. That number measures the volume taken up by the amount of down in your sleeping bag; the more loft your sleeping bag has, the more efficiently it will trap warm air. It will also weigh less and pack down smaller than bags with a lower fill power rated to the same temperature. Synthetic bags are more affordable, and therefore an excellent choice for new campers who are unsure how often they want to sleep outside, or backpackers who are headed to wet environments.

How Roomy Should a Sleeping Bag Be?

Bags come in many shapes and sizes鈥攔ectangles, mummies, modified mummies, and double bags. Mummies are warmer and lighter-weight than rectangular bags, but can also be claustrophobic. Rectangular bags are excellent for restless sleepers who need to move and don鈥檛 have space or weight constraints. Some quilts can be opened up to act as comforters, although they require a warm sleeping pad and don鈥檛 come with hoods. Women-specific bags often come in modified mummy shapes to accommodate the curvier parts of a woman鈥檚 body. Doubles are simply sleeping bags built for two, although many solo bags can be zipped together to create a double bag.

How We Test

• Number of Sleeping Bags Tested: 24
• Warmest Temperature Tested In: 80F
• Lowest Temperature Tested In: 20F
• Number of Nights Camped: 42
• Number of Testers: 16

In this category, we primarily considered sleeping bags designed for car campers versus backpackers. This meant focusing on more affordable options with comfort-forward features and weeding out the highly technical and expensive bags that would be overkill for most recreational campers.

In the end, we tested 24 sleeping bags that fit the bill on multiple camping trips along the Scott River. We then pitted the top contenders against each other in a head-to-head test in Crescent City, California, where we kept one camp up for an entire month and invited testers to try the different options. We asked testers to rate things like next-to-skin comfort, warmth, feature-set, and packability.

The bags that made this list were rated as the best picks for casual campers who care more about comfort and affordability than packability and performance in cold climates.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Joe Jackson

Test director Jackson has been testing gear professionally for 国产吃瓜黑料 for over a decade. By his best estimation, he has tested more than 100 sleeping bags for this publication. His most trying sleeping bag test took place on an incredibly cold night on Donner Summit, where he intentionally soaked sleeping bags to see how long each wetted bag could keep him warm in freezing temps.

Saylor Flett

Saylor Flett runs the outdoor recreation and leadership program at Feather River College in Quincy, California. He once spent a month sleeping in a cave in Yosemite and has spent hundreds of nights camping out on portaledges and riverbanks.

Josie Jackson

The test director鈥檚 daughter is arguably the most mobile sleeper of our 16 testers, and as a seven-year-old, is the least likely to be subject to brand bias鈥攕he could care less about who makes a sleeping bag, all she cares about is if it鈥檚 warm and comfortable.

Miyo McGinn

Miyo McGinn is an assistant editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. Miyo got her start reviewing gear as 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear editorial assistant in 2021.

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The post The 7 Best Sleeping Bags for Car Camping appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is not easy. You need shades that fit your face and stay in place even when you鈥檙e doing something active like jogging or paddling. They should be athletic鈥攂reathable, with premium optics and durable construction鈥攕o you can be active in them, but not so overly techy looking that you can鈥檛 wear them on a stroll around town.

We asked 11 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers to help us narrow down dozens of sunglasses (81 in total, to be exact, tested over the past 12 months) to find the ones that performed the best for a wide range of year-round activities. We put these sunglasses to the test while Nordic skiing, road tripping, trail running, rock climbing, and more. This collection of sunglasses represents our favorites for every type of outdoor play.

Update April 2025: We selected new winners in eight categories and updated prices on eight models that are still available and continue to stand out among all the sunglasses we’ve tested.

At a Glance

• Best Oversized:
• Most Lightweight:
• Best Apr猫s Glasses:
• Best Budget Shields:
• Best Full Coverage:
• Best for Swapping Lenses:
• Best Glacier Glasses:
• Best When On Water:
• Best for Cycling:
• Best for Running:
• Best in Mixed Light:
• Most Fun:
• Best Ventilation:
• Best Casual Shade:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Under $25:
• How to Choose Sunglasses
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Oversized

Dragon Amped

Lens: Non-polarized polycarbonate
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large to extra large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Full-coverage eye protection
鈯� Fun frame and lens colors for a style-forward look
鈯� Exceptionally comfortable fit over the nose
鈯� Too big for small faces

Dragon took cues from the brand鈥檚 top-selling DX3 Goggles to create the shape and style of their first-ever shield sunglasses, the Amped. These massively oversized sunglasses give you the full-coverage feel of a wrap-around goggle but in a surprisingly lightweight, easy-to-wear package. We first used these shades while mountain biking and sitting on the back of a wakesurfing boat, but found they worked just as well for Nordic skiing and hiking, too. Be warned: These are attention-getting glasses; you鈥檒l stand out in the crowd.

Testers liked that the Amped didn鈥檛 pinch at the nose鈥攊t comes with a wide nose bridge鈥攁nd had a super comfortable feel, but those with smaller faces felt a bit overshadowed. 鈥淚 think these are too big for my face, but I want to wear them anyway because I feel cool in them,鈥� one tester said. The indestructible polycarbonate lens has Dragon鈥檚 signature Lumalens technology, which optimizes color and contrast, and effectively boosts depth perception while blocking 100 percent of UV rays.

The frame is made from a plant-based resin, a nice touch if you鈥檙e trying to eliminate excess plastic from your life. The base price of $150 gets you the smoke black version, or pay $10 extra for a flashier-colored Ion lens.

Best Ultralight

Scott Stride

Lens: Toric
Frame shape: Frameless square shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ample field of view
鈯� Featherweight in feel
鈯� Breathable rubber nose pad for sweaty pursuits
鈯� You might snap them if you accidentally sit on them
鈯� Red lens color wasn鈥檛 for everyone

The Scott Stride鈥檚 toric lens (shaped like the edge of a donut) didn鈥檛 seem noticeable at first, but eventually, we realized we had more peripheral vision than we鈥檙e used to without suffering from a bubble-shaped lens that distorts vision. For sports where seeing clearly makes a big difference鈥攍ike road cycling, mountain biking, and trail running鈥攁 toric lens can help you take in the whole picture of the terrain ahead. One tester called them futuristic and praised their non-obstructed view. 鈥淭he lens provided ample coverage and great clarity in a comfortable, non-slip fit,鈥� he said.

The Stride is built frameless for the fast-and-light crew, like uphill skiers, marathon runners, and backpackers. It tips the scales at a mere 27 grams鈥攜ou won鈥檛 even feel it on your face. Plus, the pliable temples fit perfectly under bike and ski helmets. The glasses come with two lens color choices: a white or a red chrome. The red blocks more intense rays but it鈥檚 a little jarring to look through as it makes the world look like it鈥檚 been dyed in strawberry Kool-Aid; opt for the white lens if you want a more toned-down, everyday look.

Best Apr猫s Glasses

Shady Rays Allure

Lens: Polarized, choose from seven lens colors
Frame shape: Round
Fit: Small to medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Resilient, heavy-duty feel
鈯� High-quality lens for its price
鈯� Not as sporty as other glasses on this list
鈯� Jostled during high-impact activity

We put the Shady Rays Allure to the test on hikes and light runs and found it satisfactory, albeit lacking the best stay-put feel in the group. But where it really shone was afterward. Testers wore these shades on a sunny deck after spring skiing, tailgating post bike ride, and on sunset dog walks along the beach. Thanks to sturdy metal temples, the Allure feels hefty and unbreakable, despite its delicate look. 鈥淎 little on the heavy side,鈥� one tester said, 鈥渂ut that also made me feel like I could stash this in my jacket pocket while skiing and not worry about damaging it.鈥�

The polarized lens, which comes in mirrored and non-mirrored options, was high quality given its relatively low price (it鈥檚 not easy finding a good polarized lens for under $60) and got the job done even on snow and water in bright sun. The diminutive, rounded frame makes these more suited to those with smaller faces. Shady Rays calls them women鈥檚 frames, but our male testers were equally happy in them. They鈥檙e a nice contrast if you鈥檙e not into the big, oversized shield look that鈥檚 so prevalent these days.

Best Budget Shields

Knockaround Campeones

Lens: Non-polarized polycarbonate
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable and high performing
鈯� Super lightweight
鈯� Not as comfortable as other glasses
鈯� Less effective at cutting glare on water

Unless you鈥檙e deep-sea fishing or lake kayaking, you actually don鈥檛 need a polarized lens, which helps cut glare from flat, reflective surfaces like water and roads. The Knockaround Campeones come with intentionally non-polarized lenses to allow for more depth perception, higher contrast, and less eye fatigue during non-water-based activities where glare isn鈥檛 an issue. (Plus, not having polarization keeps the price down.)

These were our testers鈥� favorite shields in the lower price bracket. We wore them Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, and road running, and they stayed put on our faces during all of those activities, mostly due to an adjustable rubber nose pad that gives you a custom fit. Plus, unlike some sunglasses that show every morsel of sweat and sunscreen smudged across the lens and require constant cleaning, these stayed mostly clean despite heavy use, thanks to an oil-resistant lens treatment. 鈥淚 sweat in them all day without dealing with greasy smudges. I call that a win,鈥� one tester said.

Best Full Coverage

POC Devour Glacial

Lens: Comes with two interchangeable lenses
Frame shape: Oversized shield
Fit: Medium to extra large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fits like sunglasses, performs like goggles
鈯� Zero fogging
鈯� Lenses were clunky to swap out
鈯� A little overbuilt for casual wear

The POC Devour Glacial is based on the design of POC鈥檚 top-selling glasses, used mostly by downhill mountain bikers, but has additional features that make them more suitable for snow and mountain travel. The Devour Glacial comes with lenses you can swap out, side shields for added protection, and the same color-sharpening lens technology as POC鈥檚 ski goggles. Testers wore them backcountry skiing in place of goggles, and they did the job of both breathable sunglasses on the skintrack uphill and goggles for wind protection on the way down. 鈥淲hy carry more stuff if you don鈥檛 have to?鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭his is the ultimate two-in-one tool.鈥� Even our more skeptical testers were converts: 鈥淚 would usually never ski down in a pair of sunglasses, but these are not normal sunglasses.鈥�

Since they come with a dark full-sun lens and a completely clear lens, one tester figured: night skiing? She took them on a night backcountry tour under a full moon and the crisp, clear lens and wide field of view were perfect. You鈥檙e likely not going to want to wear these shades around town afterward鈥攖hey look like techy lab glasses. If you want more of an everyday style with similar features, consider POC鈥檚 more streamlined instead.

Best for Swapping Lenses

Tifosi Moab

Lens: Comes with three interchangeable polycarbonate lenses in different tints
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comes stock with three lenses
鈯� Quick and easy to swap lenses
鈯� Lightweight at just 31 grams
鈯� Some fogging issues, despite ventilation system

Not everyone wants to spend $250 on a pair of sunglasses that they may leave on the roof of their car. Tifosi gets that. The brand somehow manages to find the sweet spot of high-performing, good-looking glasses that don鈥檛 cost more than your monthly phone bill. The Tifosi Moab, which debuted in fall 2024, is one of their higher-end sport shields, but it still runs you less than $80. And it comes with not one but two extra lenses, making it even more of a bargain. We mostly wore the dark lens on sunny days Nordic skiing and running, but a lower-light lens and a clear lens came in handy while running at dusk. 鈥淩arely do I find a lens that shines in all conditions,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淚 tried these in full sun, low light, and snow鈥攖hey provided great contrast in all conditions.鈥�

Fit and airflow were remarkably good even as effort and speed increased. One tester complained of fogging during a sweaty backcountry tour, but well-placed vents along the bottom and side of the lens kept everyone else fog-free. Adjustable rubber nose tabs and bendable temples made these shades comfortable on a range of faces. 鈥淭he Moab is a basic shield, perfect for Nordic skiing, running, or cycling but not so techy that I felt weird wearing it into the post office afterward,鈥� another tester said.

Best Glacier Glasses

Revo Himalaya

Lens: Polarized glass
Frame shape: Aviator
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredible optic clarity
鈯� Removable side-eye covers
鈯� Durable frame material
鈯� So pricey, you鈥檙e not going to want to lose them
鈯� Glass lenses can feel heavy

Revo teamed up with climber and filmmaker Renan Ozturk to help design the Himalaya. These are stylish modern-day glacier glasses with a hint of retro charm that you can wear climbing a high-altitude peak or doing more casual, everyday outings. A removable leather side shield gives you sleek side-eye protection if you want it, or take it off if you鈥檙e not traversing glaciated terrain.

The lenses on the Himalaya are polarized crystal glass, offering the elevated visual clarity that only glass lenses can deliver. Our testers wore them skiing around Tahoe, climbing in the desert, and trout fishing local streams, and they earned high marks for performance and clarity in all of those activities, especially on snow and water. 鈥淭he lenses protected my eyes like a windshield while skiing on a sunny spring day,鈥� one tester said. The chunky frame and burly lenses have a solid go-ahead-and-try-to-break me vibe. One caveat: They鈥檙e heavier than other options.

Best When On Water

Bajio 12 South

Lens: Polarized glass or polycarbonate
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cushy rubber temples and nose pad
鈯� Temples hinge out for custom fit
鈯� Ultra-clear, high definition polarized lenses
鈯� Available in a prescription lens
鈯� Heavy at 40 grams

Designed for saltwater fishing but versatile enough for everyday and multi-sport use, the Bajio 12 South sunglasses are packed with smart tech without looking, well, techy. They鈥檙e cool without trying too hard. And they stay put whether you鈥檙e running on the beach or casting a line.

High definition polarized lenses鈥攚hich come in the polycarbonate we tested or a slightly pricier glass option鈥攈ave a patented blue-light blocking technology that made our eyes feel rested even after a day of boating on Lake Tahoe in harsh sun. 鈥淭hese lenses are some of the clearest I鈥檝e ever looked through,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭hey made everything sharper.鈥�

The bridge and arms come with injection-molded rubber pieces for a soft touch, and flexible hinges at the temple made these some of the most comfortable shades in the test on a range of head sizes.

Best for Cycling

Zeal Harbinger

Lens: Comes in polarized and non-polarized options
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Small to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight and simple; not overbuilt
鈯� Universally appealing fit
鈯� Frame is made from a plant-based resin
鈯� Smudge easily

These were some of our favorite sunglasses of the test鈥攁n overall crowd pleaser. The Zeal Harbinger was designed for endurance sports like running, cycling, and ski touring. It鈥檚 lightweight and feels invisible on your face, with a comfortable, no-slide fit. If you鈥檙e into shields but don鈥檛 want a pair that takes up half your face, this is a nice in-between: big enough to protect your eyes from wind and sun but not so oversized that you look ridiculous and those with smaller faces can鈥檛 pull it off. Testers with a variety of head shapes unanimously approved of these glasses. The one lens was versatile enough to work well in bright sun and low-light conditions.

Testers wore these mountain biking in the Southwest and on a backcountry hut trip in the Sierra. The cyclists had the highest praise for the Harbingers. 鈥淭hese might be the best cycling glasses I鈥檝e ever worn,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey fit perfectly with my helmet, offered ample peripheral vision, and never once fogged.鈥� Only gripe: The lens is scratch and impact-resistant, but it easily showed smudges from oily sunscreen and greasy fingerprints. For $199, you can get a non-polarized lens; or upgrade to a polarized one for $249.

Best for Running

Julbo Density

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely minimalist feel considering the wide field of view
鈯� Pliable rubber temples don鈥檛 snag hair
鈯� Grippy rubber nose pad stays put
鈯� Looks huge on smaller faces
鈯� Feel fragile

These are the sunglasses you forget you鈥檙e wearing until you walk indoors. Even then, the transition lens adapts so shockingly well from bright light to dim darkness that you don鈥檛 need to take them off.

Our testers wore these in a ski-mo race, up a 12,000-foot peak in Yosemite, and while running and Nordic skiing over 100 collective miles. They are invisibly light鈥攁 mere 20 grams鈥攚ith thin, delicate rubbery temples that one tester described as 鈥渞eminiscent of bird bones.鈥� Testers praised the full coverage that didn鈥檛 sacrifice venting, and one called them the 鈥渕ost fog-resistant sunglasses I鈥檝e ever used.鈥�

Testers repeatedly chose the Density (and even fought over who got to wear them) for late afternoon mountain bike rides, early morning trail runs, and ski touring on cloudy days. 鈥淭his is the only pair of sunglasses I鈥檝e used that I could put on starting a ski tour pre-dawn and wear into the middle of a bright April day, while never fogging鈥攄espite lots of uphill slogging,鈥� tester Goran Lynch said.

If you鈥檝e got a smaller face, check out ($145), which is similar to the Density in lens tech and lightweight feel but in a more diminutive frame size.

Read our full review of the Julbo Density.

Best in Mixed Light

Glade Ramble

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic lens made from 50 percent recycled content
Frame shape: Full frame shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight design
鈯� Ample ventilation
鈯� Comfortable nose bridge with no pressure points
鈯� A bit techy for everyday use

You know how some full-frame shield sunglasses look like overkill, as if you should only be allowed to wear them while racing bikes in Leadville or sky running in Chamonix? These are not those glasses. The Glade Ramble is built for sport, but has a laid back, under-the-radar vibe. 鈥淭hese are the non-obnoxious version of full coverage glasses,鈥� wrote one tester, while another added: 鈥淭hey strike the sweet spot of good looks and functionality at the right price.鈥� Hitting just under $100, the Ramble has a high-end feel without the sticker shock of pricier glasses.

Testers wore these while skiing Mount Shasta and on a weeklong ski touring trip in Lofoten, Norway, as well as during summer鈥檚 mountain biking window. They excelled in variable light conditions: The photochromic lenses transition from light to dark, which means when you鈥檙e moving between a forested area where the light is fickle and bright sun, your sunglasses magically adjust as needed to keep your vision clear and comfortable. 鈥淚 unabashedly have a crush on these glasses,鈥� said Tahoe tester Kate Shaw. This is the perfect shade for runners, cyclists, or skiers who prioritize lightweight, durable, style-forward gear.

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Columbia Firecamp Polarized Sunglasses ($65)

Columbia鈥檚 Firecamp Polarized Sunglasses are engineered to keep you protected no matter where the day takes you. The metal, double-bar bridge gives these sunglasses a sleek, modern look, while the lightweight design provides all-day comfort. And polarized lenses help reduce glare and eyestrain so you can focus on what matters most.

Most Fun

Blenders Millenia X2

Lens: Polarized
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Flashy and cool
鈯� Lightweight design at just 26 grams
鈯� Lenses were easily smudged with fingerprints
鈯� No rubber padding on temples or nose bridge makes them less comfortable than others

Who said sunglasses needed to be so serious? Blenders鈥� Millenia X2 have an 鈥淚鈥檓 just here for a good time鈥� vibe. We tested the Citrus Blast color鈥攁 shiny cotton candy pink frame with a mirrored rose-gold lens鈥攂ut these glasses come in more subdued colors, too, like black or silver.

Multiple testers said these were the sunglasses they picked for springtime apr猫s ski on the deck at Palisades Tahoe, but they held up well in sporting mode, too. 鈥淚 ran and cross-country skied in these shades and was shocked at how clear the optics were,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey are equal parts stylish and functional.鈥�

The tint of the polarized lens we tested was dynamic, perfect for bright sunny days, but not so dark that you couldn鈥檛 wear them as the sun was setting. The frames fit testers with medium to large faces best, but they鈥檙e not so oversized that they look ridiculous on smaller faces.

Best Ventilation

Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep

Lens: Choose from 10 color options, including clear
Frame shape: Sporty shields
Fit: Small

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ultra light for endurance sports
鈯� No sweat-induced fogging
鈯� Massive rubber nose pads that stay put
鈯� Too sporty to wear casually
鈯� A little tight at the temples

For running, cycling, and other sweaty pursuits, the Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep was a true champ. 鈥淕reat combo of ventilation and coverage for a hard training ride,鈥� said tester Tristan Queen, who trained for the Leadville 100 in these shades. 鈥淕ood airflow meant I wasn鈥檛 getting sweaty eye area syndrome.鈥� (Yes, that鈥檚 a thing.)

In mixed lighting through forests or dimly lit roads, the lenses鈥攚hich one tester called A+ quality鈥攑opped color and light without distortion. This is a slight, minimalist option for athletic types who鈥檇 rather not wear a massive shield but still want the wind and sun protection of a full-coverage shade.

Best Casual Shade

Kaenon Ojai

Lens: Three polarized color options
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unscratchable lenses
鈯� Featherweight frame
鈯� Snug fit with no bounce
鈯� So light they feel like they could break easily

Beachgoers and casual runners looking for a light, sporty shade they can wear throughout the day need search no more. The Ojai hits this magical sweet spot: At $125, they鈥檙e high-end enough to have a lavish feel but not so pricy you鈥檒l panic when they go missing. They鈥檙e also perfectly unisex and flattering on a wide range of face shapes and sizes.

These were among the lightest frames in the test (at just 24 grams) and felt breezy and whimsical while bike commuting through town and paddleboarding on a high-alpine lake. Runners reported minimal slipping and appreciated the lightweight feel. 鈥淭his one takes skinny and light to a whole new level,鈥� one tester said.

The Ojai has a boho, casual vibe, like you鈥檙e going wine tasting at a hip vineyard, but is sporty enough to pull off scrambling up a big peak. A keyhole bridge over the nose and integrated rubber nose pads make for a comfortable fit.

Most Versatile

Smith XC Sunglasses

Lens: Polarized in three color options
Frame shape: Flip-up shield
Fit: Medium/large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly breathable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� The look isn鈥檛 for everyone

Smith went back to its 1983-84 collection to find inspiration for these one-piece flip-up sunglasses. Why, you ask, would anyone need this feature? Because sometimes you want your glasses securely on your face with the arms over your ears but you don鈥檛 want the lenses in front of your eyes.

Case in point: tester Jakob Schiller took these glasses for an early-morning run in Mexico City and was able to flip the lenses up until the sun peeked over the buildings and then flip them down to create needed sun protection after dawn. While the glasses sat far enough off the face to breathe well, testers said sometimes it was nice to flip the lenses up while exercising in order to get a full blast of fresh air.

Yes, the glasses look absolutely ridiculous with the lenses flipped up, but who cares. These days, we鈥檙e all out there wearing bright colors, form-fitting tights, and any number of funny-looking gear in order to have fun and feel good.

Best Under $25

Goodr OG

Lens: Polarized, in 13 color options
Frame shape: Sporty square
Fit: Narrow/medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Complete protection that鈥檚 affordable
鈯� Lenses difficult to keep clean
鈯� Lenses easily damaged

The OG is Goodr鈥檚 best-selling style, and for good reason: Their frame is almost universally flattering, they come in 25-plus colorways, and ring up at a mere $25.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 usually race in sunglasses, but I wore these in the Berlin Marathon,鈥� said tester Jacqueline de Berry. 鈥淚 thought for sure I would get annoyed by them toward the end of the race and want to toss them away鈥攁nd I wouldn鈥檛 even have minded due to how affordable they are. But they were so comfortable I wore them to the finish, and they helped me score a new PR [personal record].鈥� Hunsucker, who has logged over 1,000 miles in the OGs, points out that they鈥檙e best when it鈥檚 super sunny. 鈥淭hey can affect your depth perception in the shade, so I only wear them on sunny, non-technical trails,鈥� he says.

They may not be as high-tech as other lenses, but they鈥檙e lightweight, don鈥檛 budge, and offer plenty of eye protection for an attractive price. Any athlete with a penchant for losing or damaging sunglasses should consider having a pair or two of Goodrs on hand. 鈥擜shley Mateo

How to Choose Sunglasses

Trying on sunglasses in person is helpful to make sure they fit and flatter your face shape and size. These days, a lot of sunglass brands also offer virtual try-on features online. Your face shape can determine what works best for you. Larger, rounder faces tend to work best with oversized or shield glasses; smaller faces might be more suited to round or wayfarer styles.

Consider what you need from your sunglasses before you buy. Are you wearing them for high-motion sports like cycling or running, or for water sports like fishing or paddling? Or do you need them for everyday use, like driving or walking? Some versatile shades can do all of those things, but others are more specialized. And if you plan to use your sunglasses in low-light conditions, consider a lens suited for that or an interchangeable lens that you can swap out based on the light.

In terms of lenses, you have a few options there as well. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more durable, and shatterproof, usually designed for high-output sports like running, biking, or ski touring. Glass lenses tend to have superior optic quality but are heavier and can be easier to break. If you plan to wear the glasses on water or snow, spring for a polarized lens, which is usually pricier but helps cut glare significantly better than non-polarized options. Some glasses come with options for lens tint, which is really up to personal preference and where you plan to use the glasses most of the time. Yellow or pink lenses will help boost color and can work well in low-light or on snow. Green and blue lenses cut glare. Gray lenses function well in both low-light and full-sun conditions, while brown lenses can improve contrast.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 11
• Number of products tested: 81 in total (51 in a previous test and 30 in this most recent test)
• Countries sunglasses were tested in: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Georgia, Turkey, Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy, Chile.
• Longest distance Nordic skied during the test: 32 miles
• Number of hut trips taken while testing: 4
• Number of sunglasses that fogged: 2
• Number of sunglasses we broke: 3

To determine our favorite all-around sunglasses of the year, a group of 11 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers were handed boxes of around five to six sunglasses from different brands and told to wear them during their normal routines outside. They exchanged them after a few weeks with another set鈥攅ventually rotating through as many as possible. Testing goes on year-round, to accommodate all the seasons, with new rounds of products tested several times each year.

Testers鈥攚ith a wide range of backgrounds, ages, outdoor interests, and face shapes鈥攑ut the shades through the ringer in both winter and summer conditions, from low-light blizzards to mid-day July sun and while doing everything from running ultramarathons to multi-day river trips. We wore these sunglasses while fishing in Mexico, backcountry skiing in the Caucasus Mountains, powder hunting in Japan and Utah, and daily runs, bike rides, and everyday outings around the Lake Tahoe area. Testers were chosen based on a diversity of recreational pursuits, but mostly because they鈥檙e opinionated about gear and they get outside regularly. Once they鈥檇 sufficiently wear-tested products, they filled out in-depth feedback forms where they reviewed characteristics like lens quality, fit, features, and durability. Testers ranked the sunglasses on a scale of one to five, and the ones chosen here represent the products that scored consistently the highest.

Meet Our Testers

All of our testers are outdoorsy, well-traveled, and opinionated folks who call the Lake Tahoe area home. Key testers quoted here include ski shop employee Kim Olenic, Arcade Belts cofounder Tristan Queen, Peak Design graphic designer Molly Street, and robotics engineer Goran Lynch, among others.

The post The 16 Best Sunglasses for Every Outdoor Activity appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Stooping in a lightweight, minimalist backpacking tent while camping out of your car isn鈥檛 much fun. Neither is getting blown over in a flimsy big-box store shelter. With that in mind, we tested 17 tents designed for car campers and families who prioritize spaciousness, convenience, and storm-worthiness over all else. These six options had us lounging in comfort and style no matter what conditions rolled through the campground.

Updated April 2025: After months of additional testing, we added four new tents, including our new top-pick, the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4. We’ve also updated info and pricing on some of our previous picks that we still highly recommend.听

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Easiest Setup:
• Most Durable:
• Best Budget Buy:
• Most Convenient:
• Best for Glamping:
• Other Tents We Tested
• How to Choose Tents
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4

Weight: 13.8 lbs
Peak height: 75鈥�
Interior space: 90鈥� x 100鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy setup/takedown
鈯� Effective ventilation
鈯� Spacious vestibule
鈯� High ceiling
鈯� Floor gets dirty fast

The Aurora Highrise 4 stood out in our test thanks to its supreme livability. Unlike many other four-person tents out there, this one does, in fact, comfortably house a family of four thanks to its 75-inch peak height, steep sidewalls, and two generous 19.5-square-foot vestibules.

During testing, two families of four remarked on the internal geometry, which maximizes space and freedom of movement. Its steep walls create more headroom above the 62.5-square-foot floor area than other dome tents鈥攁 6-foot-2 tester could easily stand upright and move around freely. Two doors on either side allowed campers to enter and exit the tent without disturbing others and were tall enough that our 6-foot-2 tester didn鈥檛 have to crouch to get in and out.

With just two base poles that set up the main body of the tent and two cross poles that pitch an awning at the top, the Aurora Highrise proved easy enough for first-time campers to set up without having to look up directions. One veteran tester was able to set it up by herself in about 15 minutes. It was just as easy to break down and pack up thanks to its oversized stuff sack.

Testers who camped out in Crescent City, California during a 17-hour rainstorm applauded the tent鈥檚 waterproofing and ventilation. The hearty 68-denier polyester body material and burly 150-denier polyester floor make this freestanding tent a hoss. It proved impervious to 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts without any help from the included guylines. The PU polyester rainfly, rated to 1,2000-millimeters, boasts a structured overhang that extends six inches beyond the mesh windows, which kept the tent dry even with its two windows opened for ventilation

We loved the small details on this tent that made a big difference in comfort and convenience, like a light-diffusing pocket in the canopy for pre-bed rituals, and the slightly opaque mesh on the windows that offered shade on the hottest days but didn鈥檛 spoil views.

Our only dig on this tent is its mostly-white floor, which proved impossible to keep clean鈥攁 problem for anyone bringing kids or pets along for the ride. Overall, the Aurora Highrise 4 is a standout in the car camping category for its balance of comfort and performance at a reasonable price.

Easiest Setup

Big Agnes Big House 4

Weight: 12.6 lbs
Peak height: 70鈥�
Interior space: 90鈥� x 92鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Very easy setup
鈯� High ceiling
鈯� Blew heavily in high winds
鈯� Vestibule sold separately

Testers loved the Big House 4鈥檚 simplicity above all. Though big and boxy, the 90-by-92-inch tent was the easiest to set up across the category. A veteran tester was able to get the Big House 4 up on her own in under ten minutes thanks to its straightforward geometry and color-coded webbing and snaps.

With a 57-square-foot floor area, the Big House 4 is billed as a four-person tent, but testers reported that you鈥檇 need to purchase the vestibule鈥攕old separately ($180)鈥攖o make room for four folks and all their gear, from the stuff you鈥檇 want to keep outside like mud-covered shoes to wet swimsuits.

That said, the generous 70-inch ceiling height meant our six-foot testers could stand upright and move around the interior freely. Testers also appreciated the tent鈥檚 two giant doors鈥攕panning 80 percent of two walls鈥攚hich allowed them to enter and exit the tent without crouching. Eight internal pockets were more than enough for a family of three to stash personal items like toothbrushes, phones, and headlamps.

The Big House 4 also impressed us with its waterproofing and durability. A 75-denier polyester taffeta rain fly with a 1,500mm waterproof polyurethane coating kept the tent body (made from the same material) and the interior perfectly dry through three days of rain in Crescent City, California. That hearty PU coating also appeared to reinforce the durability of the tent鈥攊t showed very little wear and tear after over three months of testing.

Our only gripe: The tent鈥檚 height proved suboptimal in high winds. Even when secured with its guy lines, the tent blew heavily in 25-mile-per-hour winds.

Most Durable

Snow Peak Alpha Breeze

Weight: 24.2 lbs
Peak Height: 73″
Interior Space: 109″ x 102″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Four points of entry
鈯� Excellent ventilation
鈯� Durable
鈯� Heavy

The Alpha Breeze showcases Snowpeak鈥檚 emphasis on designing elegant, simple products with a decidedly luxurious fee. The top-tier materials鈥攊n this case, polyester fabric and duralumin poles鈥攁re strong and functional, and durable enough to stay that way for quite a while.

The extra-thick copper-aluminum poles gave us confidence when a sustained 15 mph wind picked up during an overnight on Camano Island in Washington. The structure barely flinched under the gusts, and the forearm-length Douglas fir boughs they knocked down onto our campsite. The 75-denier, DWR-treated polyester taffeta rain fly and 300-denier polyester tent floor both looked brand-new after two dusty, rocky trips in Montana鈥檚 Bitterroot Mountains.

Besides the fact that it felt indestructible, Seattle-based tester Maeve Axtell loved the boxy tent鈥檚 four doors, with one on each side. 鈥淚t was easy to get in and out without disturbing other people sleeping in the tent, and when it got warm we could get cross-breezes from every direction,鈥� said Axtell. The tent鈥檚 high ceiling and two mesh-covered 鈥渨indows鈥� on opposite walls contributed to the spacious feeling inside that the four doors created, although all those openings only left space for four mesh pockets and 10 loops to stash small essentials inside.

All good things come at a cost, though, and with the Alpha Breeze, the cost is weight. Despite its heft, it鈥檚 not excessively bulky and doesn鈥檛 take up an unreasonable amount of trunk real estate. Another ding? It鈥檚 not especially easy to set up: and the tent鈥檚 6-plus-foot height makes the Breeze a tad unwieldy to pitch. Testers ultimately forgave those shortcomings, since both features made for a rock-solid pitch and roomy, comfortable interior.

Best Budget Buy

Coleman 8-Person Darkroom Skydome

Weight: 21.6 lbs
Peak height: 68鈥�
Interior Space: 12鈥� x 9鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great price
鈯� Blocks sunlight
鈯� Poor wind performance

At $230, the eight-person Darkroom Skydome costs less than half what other popular eight-person tents cost (like The North Face Wawona 8 and Big Agnes Bunk House 8), making it a great entry-level option for families. You don鈥檛 get the same high-performance materials with that price, but for casual frontcountry camp trips in mild temperatures and weather, the Darkroom Skydome gets the job done.

Besides the price and easy setup, the tent鈥檚 light-blocking fabric is what made this tent stand out, especially for folks with little kids. Coleman uses a dark-coated polyester on the rain fly and inner panels of the Skydome to block out 90 percent more light than the brand鈥檚 normal car-camping tents. Besides creating ideal sleeping and napping conditions even when the sun is still up, the dark fabric also helps keep the interior cool during the day.

While inexpensive tents don鈥檛 always have the best track record in terms of durability and weatherproofing, the Darkroom Skydome proved surprisingly robust for a budget option. After over a dozen days in the rain, testers gave its 300-millimeter-rated polyurethane rainfly high scores for waterproofing in spite of the low rating. One tester used it for over 30 nights鈥攊ncluding on three different rafting trips, which are notoriously rough on tents because they鈥檙e exposed to the elements not only when they鈥檙e pitched, but also while being transported on the water. It held up admirably to rain and rough pack jobs until sustained 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts snapped one of the two aluminum poles.

At 68-inches tall, it鈥檚 slightly shorter than the other tents on this list. That made it easier to pitch鈥攕etup was incredibly simple despite its massive footprint鈥攂ut didn鈥檛 offer the same generous standing height. Testers taller than 5鈥�10鈥� had to crouch significantly in the tent. And like many large-capacity tents, this 鈥渆ight person鈥� shelter is stretching it with six occupants.

It鈥檚 not our pick for seasoned campers who head out into the wild no matter the weather, but for families with young kids and the budget-conscious, the Darkroom Skydome is a smart buy.

Most Convenient

MSR Habiscape 4P

Weight: 12.7 lbs
Peak Height: 73″
Interior Space: 95″ x 95″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lots of livable space
鈯� Highly weatherproof
鈯� Mediocre ventilation

There鈥檚 a lot we liked about the Habiscape, from the generous elbow room (86 square feet including the vestibule) to the ample standing height (73 inches), but it was a dual-sided pocket that hooked us. Next to the door MSR built in something they call a 鈥減ass-thru pocket鈥濃€攁 bug mesh-lined portal that鈥檚 accessible from both inside and out. Without opening the door, testers could reach through to grab car keys, bug spray or a headlamp. 鈥淚t seems like a little thing, but the convenience was huge,鈥� says Chris Baikie, a British Columbia-based tester. 鈥淭here were definitely fewer bugs in the tent because of it.鈥�

Set-up for the Habiscape requires two people, but the asymmetric design and color-coding helped make it quick and easy. The dome structure and low-hanging 68-denier polyester fly stood up to a 20 mile-per-hour windstorm with little flapping. The rest of the tent is equally tough, with the same 68-denier poly on the floor, 40-denier ripstop nylon walls, and 7000 series aluminum tent poles.

We had to duck under the vestibule door to get inside, but it provided enough room for a cooler and gear, and kept drips out of the tent during rainstorms. A second door came in handy for frequent nighttime bathroom excursions. The Habiscape packs down easily, and ends up smaller than many tents of its size, at roughly nine inches by two feet. 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost perfect,鈥� says lead tester Ryan Stuart. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 not even that heavy.鈥�

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The North Face Wawona 4 Tent: 4-Person 3-Season

Set up more than just a place to sleep鈥攕et up a basecamp for adventure. The North Face Wawona 4 Tent delivers just that with enough room to stand up inside, stash all your gear, and even set up a cozy lounge area. The extended front vestibule keeps gear organized and protected, while large mesh windows and a top vent ensure you stay cool on warm nights. Sturdy DAC poles and a waterproof fly provide confidence in unpredictable weather, and an easy-pitch design means you can pack up in no time.

Best for Glamping

White Duck Outdoors Rover Scout Tent

Weight: 62 lbs
Peak Height: 84鈥�
Interior Space: 8鈥� x 13鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable materials
鈯� Very weather-resistant
鈯� Complicated setup
鈯� Heavy

Tester Saylor Fleet, a longtime wall tent lover who used the previous version of the Rover Scout Tent for over a decade, likened this updated model to a sprinter van. 鈥淚t’s big enough to stand up in, sleep in, and cook in,鈥� he said. Heck, this 8-by-13-foot tent is essentially a canvas-sided cabin that easily sleeps six adults. Its size and sturdiness make it ideal for families or hunters looking to set up a basecamp for extended stints in the backcountry.

During testing, we set up a luxury camping situation for two adult testers with individual cots and a small kitchen鈥攊ncluding a Coleman stove, dishware, and a small wash bin on a roll-a-table鈥攁nd still had plenty of space to walk around.

But the Rover Scout isn鈥檛 just for those who like to spread out; it鈥檚 also got performance chops. Testers appreciated how well the Dynatek cotton and recycled polyester canvas held onto heat on a night in the low 40s on the Klamath River in Oregon. On the flip side, they liked that they could easily roll up the two doors and two walls of the tent to dump heat when temps rose into the mid 70s during the day.

Unlike car-camping-oriented tents with traditional pole structures, the Rover Scout necessitates the use of guy-outs to stay upright and storm-worthy. You have to be selective about your site because you have to be able to drive stakes in the ground to firmly secure those guy-outs鈥攜ou鈥檒l have a tough time pitching this tent on loose sand and bedrock.

While it took a while for two testers to hunt down an ideal site鈥攁nd a good 30-minutes to erect鈥攐nce it was up, it wasn鈥檛 going anywhere. Category managerJoe Jackson pitched it on the Klamath River in the fall and left it up for two weeks between camping stints. During that time, it saw four days of rain and wind gusts of over 30 miles-per-hour, yet Jackson returned to find it unscathed and fully dry after his time away.

White Duck鈥檚 canvas not only proved durable, but it avoided the achilles heel of canvas tents: It did not get covered in mildew when it was put away slightly wet. The downside to the Rover Scout鈥檚 design? While the canvas is lighter than that of wall tents we鈥檝e tested in the past, the aluminum and steel frame is heavy: At 62 pounds, it was too heavy for our smaller testers to handle on their own.

That said, it packs down to roughly the size of a couch cushion, compact enough to fit into the back of a Honda Element with room left over for camp supplies.

Other Tents We Tested

• : We used this as a base camp for a raft guide weekend. We loved it as a communal shelter but found it too large and expensive for most campers.
• : This tent really did pop up in under 30-seconds thanks to a two-handled ripcord that erects the tent from the top. Ultimately, it鈥檚 too small for most recreational campers.
• : The Fernweh felt like a member of the Jackson family at the end of three summers of testing because of how comfortably the massive living space accommodated months of family camping. But it takes two adults over an hour to set up properly, even with practice.

How to Choose a Camping Tent

Size and Dimensions

Start with the number of people who will be sleeping in the tent and add at least one. No one ever complained about a little extra elbow room, and ultra-wide camping pads often need extra space. Next, consider packability: If you have limited storage or trunk space, a more packable option will make jamming it between all of the coolers and propane easier. Height is crucial, but comes with a tradeoff: Being able to stand up to get dressed or stretch your legs is nice, but means it will be harder to set up, especially if you鈥檙e doing it solo.

Feature Set

Look for ample pockets for staying organized, big vestibules and/or high bathtub walls that protect the interior from blowing rain, multiple venting options, and roomy doors. Of course, a tent鈥檚 principal job is to protect you from the elements, so weatherproofing should be a primary consideration. A fly that reaches to the ground provides the most coverage, but can also limit venting, making for uncomfortably stuffy conditions when it鈥檚 hot. A tall pole structure is susceptible to high winds, so make sure the tent has plenty of guy-out points for stabilizing and protecting the tent from gusts.

Budget

Price is always important, but try to prioritize value. Spending a bit more for a tent with more durable materials, like higher denier fabrics and burly aluminum poles, will save you money in the long run. You can find a no frills, serviceable four-person summer tent in the $200 range, with waterproofing, durability, and reparability generally improving as you start getting into higher price ranges.

But if you鈥檙e looking for a tent to use three seasons of the year, that you expect to get a lot of use in stormy weather, or that you鈥檇 like to use for the rest of your life, we recommend budgeting between $350 and $600. That鈥檚 the cost of more reliable construction and waterproofing鈥攚hich, as all of our testers who have woken up to puddles inside their tents can tell you, is priceless when you really need it.

How We Test

• Tents tested: 17
• Number of nights camped: 50+
• Number of testers: 17
• States tested in: California, Oregon, Washington

For this test, we mainly considered four- to eight-person, three-season tents because they tend to be the best fit for most car campers who prioritize comfort and space over weight and packability. When all was said and done, our crew of 17 testers tested 17 tents鈥攏ewer options on the market as well as some perennial favorites鈥攖o find the best for frontcountry campers.

We tested these tents in the beaches, rivers, and mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington from September through November. Conditions included everything from sub-freezing temps and sustained rainstorms to blazing hot rafting trips on the Klamath River in Northern California.

After a number of weekend camping trips, testing concluded with a month-long field-testing stint in Crescent City, California, to whittle down the final contenders. Testers included four families with kids ranging in age from two to eleven, and parents in their early thirties to their mid fifties. Some were first-time campers, while others could measure the amount of time they鈥檝e spent in years.

We asked all testers to evaluate tents on their functionality, ease of setup and take-down, standout features, and overall comfort and livability.

Meet Our Testers

Joe Jackson has been professionally testing gear for 国产吃瓜黑料 for over a decade and has pitched and slept in over 90 tents during that time. While he is proud of the breadth of tents he has tested for this publication, his biggest flex is that he lived out of an in Oregon for eight months.

Miyo McGinn is a former assistant editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. McGinn got her start reviewing gear as 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear editorial assistant in 2021.

More Gear Reviews

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The Best Sleeping Pads of 2025
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The post The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Trail running shoes are like adventure partners: find a good one, and you feel safe, confident, and excited to explore all sorts of terrain. We put the season鈥檚 offerings to the test on every kind of topography, from Rocky Mountain singletrack to Santa Barbara bluffs, Nebraska gravel backroads, and the rocky, rooty maze of the Appalachian Trail. Our team scrutinized every model鈥檚 fit, traction, and ride, and selected the winners for their ability to confidently and comfortably take us where we want to go, time and again.

Update April 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new models in nine categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide. We are continually testing and will be updating this list of best trail running shoes throughout the year as new models impress our testers and editors.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around: Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide ($250)
• Runner-Up All-Around: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro ($195)
• Best Trail Super Shoe: Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra ($220)
• Best for Ultrarunning: Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275)
• Best Daily Workhorse: Scarpa Spin Ultra 2 ($179)
• Best Value: Saucony Peregrine 15 ($140)
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 9 ($140)
• Best for Speedy Scrambles: Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx ($112)
• Best for Soft Terrain: Scarpa Spin ST ($179)
• Best for Groomed Trails/Gravel: The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 ($160)
• Best Road-to-Trail: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 ($140)
• Best Max Cushioned: Brooks Caldera 8 ($150)
• Most Natural Ride: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 ($150)
• Best for Beginner Trail Runners: New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 ($155)
• How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best All-Around

Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

Weight: 10.2 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 41鈥�35 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 4.5-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5.5-14, 15 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unmatched combo of comfort and trail performance
鈯� Quick-feeling for such a cushioned shoe
鈯� Outstanding grip
鈯� Quicklace system is difficult to adjust

Thick soles typically feel unstable on rocky, rooty trails, sloped surfaces, or sharp descents. But the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide defies expectations, delivering a surprising blend of cushioning, stability, and responsiveness. 鈥淚’m always a little wary of big-stack trail shoes because some of them feel mushy and slow, or even worse, unstable,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淭hese were none of those. I felt like I nestled right into the soles and bounced right along.鈥�

Aesthetically, the S/Lab Ultra Glide looks like no other. The funky-looking wavy midsole with ankle-deep sidewalls combines a chassis of firmer EVA for stability with a softer, bouncier PEBA/EVA core underfoot. The outsole molds to the wavy midsole, creating circular indents across the bottom of the foot, designed to defuse impact. The combination works: the shoe delivered a soft, responsive, and adaptable ride that morphed over uneven terrain. On the open trail, the four-millimeter lugs proved reliable, biting into packed dirt and loose gravel with ease.

鈥淭he shoe provided a smooth, supported run on a variety of terrains,鈥� noted one tester, who was surprised that even when the footing got rocky, the S/Lab Ultra Glide 鈥渄elivered a commanding performance, allowing for precise, responsive running.鈥�

The soft but strong engineered mesh upper molded and moved with the contours of the foot, while providing a slight stretch for added toe box room. The gusseted tongue snugged our insteps nicely, but Salomon鈥檚 signature Quicklace system takes some adjusting each time you lace up to get the proper amount of pressure鈥攏ot a dealbreaker, but not quite an effortless 鈥渟et it and forget it鈥� experience.

Once dialed in, however, the fit and ride topped every shoe in this year鈥檚 test selection, making them the shoes we always seemed to reach for.

Runner-Up All-Around

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

Weight: 8.9 oz, 7.9 oz
Stack height: 34鈥�28 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7.5-15.5 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lively midsole that still allows ground feel
鈯� Great traction
鈯� Some pressure on the top of the foot

The Prodigio Pro runs unlike any other La Sportiva shoe we鈥檝e ever tested. We鈥檝e enjoyed many from the brand, known for its nimble, rugged trail models. But this one is the softest to date and delivers a remarkably lively, fun ride. The midsole鈥攁 core of bouncy, nitrogen-infused TPU surrounded by a more stable, nitrogen-infused EVA cage鈥攆eels snappy underfoot. 鈥淵our foot just pops off the ground with each step,鈥� said one tester.

The bootie construction鈥攁 sock-like, engineered mesh upper encircling the ankle鈥攕uccessfully kept trail debris from sneaking inside the shoe. The durable upper, made from a mix of polyester, TPU, and nylon threads that the brand is calling 鈥淧ower Wire鈥� mesh worked in conjunction with the secure midfoot wrap to hold our feet securely and comfortably. One knock on the upper: The tongue, with an interesting, tubular padding, caused a little irritation on the top of the foot beneath the laces for some testers. Most, however, found it a comfortable upper overall, one that was a pleasure to pull on.

Underfoot, a Frixion outsole with multidirectional, four-millimeter lugs did a fantastic job at gripping all surfaces. 鈥淭his shoe has great traction in mud, slush, dirt, rocks, and roots,鈥� said one tester, who noted that the shoe performs expertly on off-camber terrain. 鈥淭his shoe makes me feel more nimble and quick than most shoes do.鈥�

Best Trail Super Shoe

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 8.1 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 38鈥�30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast, smooth, and lively ride
鈯� Adaptive stability
鈯� Not great in really rocky terrain

Every Agravic Speed Ultra tester was in awe of how easily faster paces felt while wearing this shoe. 鈥淚 consistently ran about 30 seconds per mile faster while running in these shoes than what the effort felt like,鈥� said a masters tester. Adidas designers skillfully adapted the elements of a road super shoe to create a similar, effort-reducing, propulsive feel in a shoe that works on the uncertain terrain of the trail.

Underfoot, the main ingredients are a bouncy-but-not-too-soft gas-infused TPEE-based midsole working harmoniously with an embedded, trail-specific 鈥減late.鈥� Instead of a solid, rigid plate, Adidas uses semi-flexible rods that react independently to variations in the terrain. Made of PEBA in its hard plastic form as often found in track spike plates, the four prongs in the forefoot and two in the heel are splayed wider and closer to the edges than those in Adidas鈥檚 road shoes, to enhance stability. One tester said the resulting ride 鈥減rovided a lively pop without being tippy on variable surfaces or prescribing a set, rigid roll.鈥�

Deep sculpted side walls surround a beveled heel, delivering smooth, secure landings, and a narrow midfoot waist widens to a generous, flared forefoot, providing an agile and stable stance. The aggressively rockered geometry from heel to toe delivers what one tester described as 鈥渁 balanced ride that makes it easy to stay forward on my feet and drive backward with each stride, creating a quick, powerful push-off.鈥�

For the outsole, Adidas uses the same trustworthy, grippy Continental rubber found on most of the brand鈥檚 running shoes. This trail-specific version features variable 2.5- to 3-millimeter lugs for surefooted, no-stress traction. As one might expect in a high-level racing shoe, the upper is kept to a minimum for weight reduction. Made with a non-stretch, breathable, quick-drying, woven material, we found it offered a secure, snug lockdown while providing a touch of abrasion protection.

Given the tall stack height, testers had to cautiously check their foot placements through technical rocky terrain. But wherever the terrain smoothed out and allowed for full strides, the Agravic Speed Ultra came alive and delivered a ride that testers said felt like flying. If you鈥檝e been holding out for a plated trail racing shoe that gets almost everything right, the wait is over.

Read our full review of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

Best for Ultrarunning

Hoka Tecton X 3

Weight: 10 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 40鈥�35mm (men鈥檚); 39鈥�34mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: Men鈥檚 7-14, Women鈥檚 5-11

Pros and Cons
鈯� Gaiter keeps out trail debris
鈯� Excellent balance of comfort and responsiveness
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 feel tippy, despite carbon fiber plates
鈯� Pricey

This third iteration of Hoka’s Tecton X is the best yet (and we鈥檝e loved them all, awarding the debut model Gear of the Year in 2022). Like the first two, the Tecton X 3 features two carbon fiber plates within each shoe that sit parallel to each other, allowing them to move independently. This enables the shoe to morph over rocks and roots instead of tipping the foot, a sensation we鈥檝e felt in some trail running shoes that utilize one large plate. The two plates in the Tecton X 3 are slightly wider than those in version 2 and feature a winged shape under the heel that鈥檚 meant to add to the shoe鈥檚 stability on technical terrain.

Other updates include a softer layer of PEBA foam above the plate and directly beneath the foot which testers reported enhances the joint-comforting cushion over long, rugged runs. The bottom layer of foam remains firmly responsive for a tactile ground feel.

And then there鈥檚 the unique upper. While some testers were skeptical of having a gaiter built into the shoe, it proved not only comfortable but also highly effective. A tester who worried the material around the ankle would annoy her reported, 鈥淭he gaiter is stretchy and adds to the overall comfort and techy feel.鈥� Every tester appreciated how the built-in gaiter kept debris out of the shoes with zero irritation or awkward clips. The Matryx upper, made of high-strength synthetic yarns, was stretchy enough for easy on-and-offs and to move with the foot, while also doing a great job holding feet in place over wild terrain. Its also highly breathable: 鈥淚 ran straight through a river, and the shoe dried out very quickly,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado-based tester.

The entire package鈥攖wo layers of foam, four-millimeter Vibram Magagrip lugs, carbon-fiber plating, and a gaiter鈥攃omes in at minimal weight for such a rugged and feature-rich ride. 鈥淭his thing is light, especially for a trail shoe,鈥� marveled a female tester, adding, 鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely speed-inspiring.鈥� The Tecton X 3 is our pick for ultra-runners and regular folks looking for a great shoe that can tackle the most mountainous terrain in comfort.

Best Daily Workhorse

Scarpa Spin Ultra 2

Weight: 10.2 oz (men), 8.8 oz (women)
Stack Height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: EU 40-47, 48 (men鈥檚), EU 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable outsole, midsole, and upper construction
鈯� Nimble and cushioned ride
鈯� Runs narrow

When the Scarpa Spin Ultra first came out in 2019, it impressed our crew so much that we named it the Gear of the Year. It embodied everything we looked for in a trail running shoe鈥攁 secure yet comfortable fit, a protective midsole with dependable cushioning, and an outsole with outstanding traction. Six years later, Scarpa has completely updated this award-winning model, retaining those award-winning characteristics while making it tougher than ever.

The most notable update is Scarpa鈥檚 debut use of Supercritical TPEE foam. This high-tech midsole material is created by injecting a gas into the foam and exposing it to extreme pressure and heat, creating bubbles that make the foam light and bouncy. While the Scarpa midsole is not as soft and trampoline-like as some of the supercritical foams we鈥檝e tested, its firmer nature provides impressive durability, stability, and quick underfoot responsiveness. One tester described the shoe as a 鈥渧ery stable, rugged trail runner, with minimal flex.鈥� Another said, 鈥淭he midsole cushions just enough to dampen impact without dulling the feel for and engagement with the trail, enhancing nimble footplants and springy toe-offs.鈥�

Like a lot of European-made shoes, testers found the Spin Ultra 2 to fit rather tight, especially in the toe box. Once laced up, the recycled mesh upper with bio-based TPU print overlays doesn鈥檛 have much give, locking your foot securely in place. While it enhances stability on technical terrain, it may feel restrictive for runners who prefer a bit more wiggle room.

If you鈥檙e after an easygoing, plush shoe, this isn鈥檛 it. But if you prefer a firmly-responsive stance and stable ride that can get beat to hell and keep going, these are for you.

Best Value

Saucony Peregrine 15

Weight: 9.7 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
SIZES: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Performance features at a reasonable price
鈯� Light, flexible, and nimble ride
鈯� Deep outsole lugs
鈯� Forefoot cushioning can feel slight on long runs

In an era that鈥檚 serving up increasingly fat midsoles, we鈥檙e happy to see that Saucony鈥檚 longtime performer remains relatively low to the ground, making it flexible and connected to the trail. It doesn鈥檛, however, run too firm. The reformulated EVA-based midsole with a premium, bouncy TPU-based insole feels soft underfoot and is plentiful enough to cushion the impact even on hard rocks and packed dirt.

The Peregrine 15鈥檚 outsole features aggressive, widely spaced, five-millimeter-deep, chevron-shaped lugs made of Saucony鈥檚 proprietary rubber compound. The bite gives the Peregrine secure traction on soft terrain, like loamy soil and fresh snow. Due to its low profile, secure-fitting upper, and light weight, the shoe also feels nimble on rocky, technical terrain. That upper is a simple, flexible-but-rugged mesh with a gusseted tongue and midfoot straps that tie into the laces, keeping the foot snugly in place.

鈥淭hese kept me stable while running on both singletrack and wider fireroad trails, and I felt fast because they鈥檙e so lightweight,鈥� said a tester. Another raved, 鈥淲ith the light and flexible feel of a toothy racing flat, the Peregrine always inspires me to pick up the pace and fly, but I never feel beat up in them no matter how far I go.鈥�

For a shoe that can tackle all sorts of off-road adventures comfortably and capably, $140 is a steal.

Best Zero Drop

Altra Lone Peak 9

Weight: 11.1 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 25鈥�25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Sizing: 7 – 13, 14, 15, 16 (men鈥檚), 5.5 – 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Retains the best qualities of Lone Peak 8
鈯� Outstanding traction and grip
鈯� New protective toe bumper reduces flexibility in the toe box

鈥淚f it ain鈥檛 broke, don鈥檛 fix it鈥� has been Altra’s motto regarding their flagship trail shoe for years. The Lone Peak 9 stays true to its roots, maintaining the zero-drop platform, wide toe box, and reliable grip, with a few minor updates, including a re-engineered upper, improved outsole, and lighter midsole.

The midsole is still made of Altra EGO foam, but the compound has been reformulated to weigh less and have more resilient compression, so it should last longer. Testers found the changes minimal, with the shoe maintaining its signature flexibility and excellent ground feel.

The upper, which received the lion’s share of updates, features 100 percent recycled ripstop mesh with no-sew overlays. A new protective toe bumper wraps up and extends over the top of the toe box in the front and along the sides. One tester with toe arthritis dinged the new bumper for reducing the flexibility in the toe box, but no other tester noted a problem. One small but clever addition is an additional set of eyelets, spaced farther apart, that allows the option of creating a tighter midfoot hold for those with low-volume feet.

Underfoot, Altra continues to use their proprietary MaxTrac outsole with 3.5-millimeter lugs but increased the rubber coverage for this version. One tester who slogged through the wet, snowy Wisconsin winter described the outsole as 鈥渢op-notch.鈥� The heel rudder that extends out the back has been split, improving stability by reducing lateral torque. (Note, a version 9+ was recently released that is identical except for a Vibram Megagrip outsole and a new ripstop mesh).

Bottom line: If you鈥檙e a Lone Peak fan there鈥檚 nothing new here that will jeopardize that. Slight improvements sharpen the ride without altering the shoe鈥檚 core identity. 鈥淭he Lone Peak鈥檚 strengths haven’t changed for me,鈥� said one longtime Lone Peak fan.

Best For Speedy Scrambles

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

Weight: 8.3 oz (men鈥檚), 6.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 23.5鈥�19.5 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight, low-profile
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� Nimble over rough terrain
鈯� Cushioning can feel slight under toes

If you鈥檙e in need of an amazingly agile shoe to scale mountain trails like a bighorn sheep, the Long Sky 2 Matryx is here for it. The new upper, made out of Matryx鈥攁 thin, breathable, quick-drying synthetic fabric reinforced with super-durable Kevlar threads鈥攕ecures the foot, with a half-booty tongue adding extra hold. Cutouts in the Vibram Megagrip outsole save weight between the tacky, grippy-rubber, five-millimeter lugs. The flexible, compression-molded EVA midsole is on the slight end, enabling confidence-inspiring proprioception and secure footplants on tricky terrain, and firm-but-adequate cushioning on hard-surface trails.

The upper and sole combination locks each stride to the ground. 鈥淚t is such a lightweight shoe, with great traction and fit, that moving your feet over terrain is easier than in a more bulky, highly-cushioned shoe,鈥� said Lousiville, Colorado-based tester Terri Kazanjian.

This was our go-to shoe for any fast-effort trail runs, or days we craved a highly nimble shoe that felt like an extension of our body. Kanzanjian summed up: 鈥淭his shoe makes you feel nimble and peppy on technical terrain, like you can run up those hills and bomb those descents faster than normal.鈥�

Best for Soft Terrain

Scarpa Spin ST

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Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 22鈥�18 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: European sizing 40-48 (men鈥檚), 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Effective, toothy grip on soft surfaces
鈯� Low gaiter-link heel collar helps keep out debris
鈯� Harsh ride on hard-packed trails

The 鈥淪T鈥� in the name stands for 鈥淪oft Terrain,鈥� which is what this shoe is best suited for. Here鈥檚 the main reason why: 7 mm(!) lugs made out of Vibram Mega Grip rubber take hold in soft dirt, mud, and snow, offering secure footing on even the sloppiest surfaces. Complementing the toothiness is an impressively secure foothold from PU overlays that encase a stretchy mesh-paneled upper and pull securely around the foot when the laces are tightened. A tester with a bunion on one foot noted the shoe鈥檚 narrow and unstretchy toe box caused some irritation but raved about the shoe鈥檚 ability to grab hold in soft dirt.

We reached for this shoe often on snowy terrain鈥攅ither on trails or when snow turned neighborhood roads into trails. The high heel collar made out of a neoprene-like stretch woven textile, which keeps trail debris out of the shoe in summer, also does a good job keeping kicked-up snow from infiltrating socks. The upper isn鈥檛 Gore-Tex, however, and doesn鈥檛 try to keep water out. Instead, moisture flows both in and out, and we appreciated the breathability on all-season runs where high effort caused hot feet, and for wet conditions when we wanted drainage. A plus: a lace-locking device and hidden lace pocket both eliminates unwanted loosening and snagging on low branches and roots.

With slight EVA cushioning in the midsole (22 mm under the heel and 18 mm under the forefoot), this isn鈥檛 a shoe you鈥檇 want to wear running hard-packed trails or road sections. But for the soft terrain it was intended for, the underfoot feel was just right, making the Scarpa Spin ST excel at tearing up the trail.

Best For Groomed Trails/Gravel

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4

Weight: 10.1 oz (men鈥檚), 9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 32鈥�26 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚); 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great balance of stable and cushy
鈯� Propulsive feel
鈯� Can feel tippy on technical terrain

The North Face Enduris 4 is a downright comfortable shoe with a performance ride. Upon step -in, our feet felt cradled, secure, and ready for anything. The shoe excelled on routes like the 5.25-mile dirt-road loop around the Boulder Reservoir that is mostly loose gravel with occasional rocks and ruts. On smoother terrain like that, the super-trainer combination of lively cushioning sandwiched around a full-length TPU plate with rockered geometry made us feel smooth and energetic. The shoe can also handle technical terrain, but the plate makes it feel a tad tippy.

The swallow-tail design鈥攖he sole flares out behind the heel with a notch in the middle鈥攕eemed to aid a heel-striking gait, cushioning landings and helping to roll feet forward rather than torquing them inward. Traction comes from four-millimeter multidirectional lugs which worked well on a variety of surfaces and didn鈥檛 feel too clunky on smooth terrain, although one tester noted, 鈥淢ud seemed to stick to the outsole and stay there.鈥� All testers found the seamless engineered mesh upper breathed great and kept feet in place.

Overall, we鈥檙e big fans of the updated Enduris 4 with more cush. 鈥淭he shoe actually felt lighter than expected and easy to run in for both road-to-trail routes and straight trail running,鈥� said one tester.

Best Road-To-Trail

Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 37鈥�27.5 mm
Drop: 9.5 mm
Sizes: 6-15 (men鈥檚) 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Transitions well from asphalt to dirt
鈯� Secure fit for off-road confidence
鈯� Good-looking enough for casual wear
鈯� Not as cushioned as some other road-to-trail shoes

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is for runners who value a shoe that can take them from home to the trail and back, running smoothly on pavement while offering traction and foothold on even the most technical off-road terrain. What puts this shoe above other road-to-trail options is its superior performance on uneven, rooty, and rocky terrain. Flywire technology (super-strong, thin, and lightweight thread) in the upper kept our feet from sloshing around inside the shoe and helped us maintain quick, secure foot plants. 鈥淚 felt confident in both the traction and how my feet remained in control on a burly trail with lots of rocks and ups and downs,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado, tester.

The cushioning is updated in this version to Nike鈥檚 smoothly responsive ReactX foam, with a stack soft and thick enough to soften pavement impact, especially under the forefoot. The shoe runs smoothly on roads with its flexible forefoot and 3.5 mm lugs that are hardly noticeable. But when you reach dirt those lugs kick into action and deliver solid traction.

Tightly woven mesh around the toe box adds durability, while strategically placed holes around the midfoot allow breathability. The addition of a looped cord at the heel makes this shoe easy to pull on鈥攁 simple feature we appreciated every time we used it.

This shoe also looks fashionable enough to crossover to casual wear, adding to its versatility. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great shoe for travel that might include hiking, running, walking, and general adventuring,鈥� said our lead tester, who put it through its paces in Colorado and Costa Rica.

Best Max Cushioned

Brooks Caldera 8

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 9.3 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 38.5鈥�32.5 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: men鈥檚: 7-14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfort on long and short runs
鈯� Wide, stable base
鈯� Protective upper
鈯� Minimal ground feel

We鈥檝e long loved the high-cush, wide-silhouette Caldera for its ability to let us just zone out on a run. It鈥檚 a forgiving shoe, like a truck with really good shocks that allows you to mindlessly roll over rocks and roots. The Caldera 8 is a good companion for anything from short after-work trail jaunts to ultra-distance epics.

The midsole cushioning鈥擝rooks鈥� nitrogen-infused, EVA-based DNA Loft 3鈥攊s ample, while still lightweight. The Caldera 8 can feel like a lot underfoot, especially for lighter-weight runners, but testers said it successfully softened the ground impact of every step without wallowing in cush. Despite the massive stack height, flex grooves on the outsole help enable a smooth flowing stride. Aiding the Caldera鈥檚 forgiving nature is its wide silhouette that keeps it from being tippy, a large surface area for secure ground contact, and solid traction.

This year鈥檚 model features higher raised sidewalls to provide extra stability, and a smooth upper intended to evade snags from branches, both of which seem to work in our testing.

Best Natural Ride

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4

Weight: 10.4 oz (men鈥檚), 8.2 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 35鈥�30 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 6.5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Instantly comfortable on a variety of feet
鈯� Highly cushioned while still allowing ground feel
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 grab loose dirt well

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 fits like a classic Topo shoe鈥攁 secure heel hold gives way to a wide toe box allowing the foot to splay out naturally. Even narrow-footed testers noted the secure and comfortable hold of this shoe, and enjoyed the feeling of support under the arch, which seems to further promote a relaxed forefoot.

The Topo Ultraventure 4 has a relatively high stack height and an ample amount of lively cushioning, which testers particularly noticed and appreciated under the ball of the foot. But unlike its high-cush contemporaries, the slightly firm, responsive, flexible midsole allows great feel for the ground. We enjoyed the surefooted feeling of being connected to the trails instead of floating on top of them.

The upper鈥攁 recycled mesh with a polyurethane wrap around the front of the shoe for protection from toe stubs鈥攊s slightly stretchy and conforms around the foot. 鈥淭his felt like a slipper with traction,鈥� said one tester.

Underfoot, wide, flat, 3.5-millimeter-deep lugs made of Vibram rubber stuck to steep rock slabs on dry trail runs in Boulder, Colorado, and ran smoothly on packed dirt. We craved a little more toothiness on loose trails, but appreciated the versatility and overall natural feel of this shoe. 鈥淭he Ultraventure 4 felt better the longer I went and more tired I got, encouraging and supporting a soft midfoot landing and gentle roll that ate up the miles,鈥� said one tester.

Best For Beginner Trail Runners

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Weight: 10.3 oz (men), 8.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 42鈥�38 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Both well-cushioned and stable
鈯� Aggressive traction
鈯� Large lugs can feel rough on hard pack

If you鈥檙e just getting into trail running, you need a shoe that provides stability, grip, and comfort鈥攊n essence, one that makes you more confident on the trail. Testers all agreed the New Balance Hierro v9 fit that bill better than any other shoe we tested. In this version, New Balance used two layers of their EVA-based Fresh Foam X in the midsole鈥攁 softer layer closer to the foot for cushioned comfort sits on top of a firmer layer that enhances stability. One tester noted this midsole combo 鈥渁bsorbs shock well and returns energy efficiently.鈥� She also praised the shoe鈥檚 forefoot rocker profile, which 鈥渕akes for a smooth push-off and helps with your forward motion and efficiency.鈥�

Despite having four millimeters more cushioning under the heel (and eight more under the forefoot) than version 8, bringing the total stack to a whopping 42鈥�38 millimeters, we found the Hierro v9 shockingly stable as long as we steered clear of technical terrain鈥攚hich most beginners tend to do anyway. Grippy 4.5-millimeter lugs鈥攚hich one tester described as 鈥渧ery aggressive鈥濃€攊nstill confidence, particularly on loose dirt and gravelly trails. The downside is that those long lugs contributed to a rough ride on hard-packed dirt or road.

A tough-skinned mesh upper with a gusseted tongue felt supportive, yet provided enough comfort for all-day use. All in all, the combination of a thick stack of soft cushioning, grippy outsole, and comfortable and secure upper make this a standout choice for beginner trail runners eager to explore.

How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe

If you鈥檙e in the market for a trail running shoe, first consider the type of trails you run on regularly: do you tackle rugged, mountainous terrain, or stick to mellow dirt paths? Some trail shoes can handle both adequately, while others are specialized and excel in one or the other. Shoes with smaller lugs are generally better on smoother, firmer terrain, whereas shoes with deeper, more aggressive outsoles are optimized for steep, muddy, or rocky trails. If you like to feel the trail and dance around rocks and roots, you鈥檒l likely prefer a light, more minimal shoe, but if you鈥檇 rather let the shoe roll over trail variations, cushioning and protecting while you zone out, you should look for a shoe with a thicker midsole.

Once you鈥檝e narrowed the search to a certain type of trail shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner鈥檚 body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each trail shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of trail running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you鈥檙e running. To determine fit and feel, there鈥檚 no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb鈥檚 width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn鈥檛 slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it鈥檚 time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the 鈥渃omfort filter,鈥� but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your 鈥減referred movement path.鈥� In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you鈥檒l know that you鈥檝e found your pair.

It鈥檚 likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between 鈥淎鈥� or 鈥淏,鈥� 鈥�1鈥� or 鈥�2.鈥� You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties鈥攍ike cushioning or pronation control鈥攚ith running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don鈥檛 consistently reduce injuries.

Don鈥檛 assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you鈥檙e a heavier runner, or if you鈥檙e a beginner鈥攅vidence doesn鈥檛 support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on ).

How We Test

• Number of testers: 18
• Number of shoes tested: 84
• Number of miles: 22,000+ over a year
• Most Memorable Trail Run: Having a mild winter afternoon turn into a blizzard while three miles from home in the western Nebraska sandhills.

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand鈥檚 new offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (84 throughout the year, 34 trail running shoes this season) that are most promising, and distribute them to 26 testers who range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, terrain, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in shoes from within the same category (all rugged, backcountry trail shoes, or all road-to-trail crossovers) so everyone can test apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on varied terrain and in all conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every trail running shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. We then weigh this season鈥檚 bests against the heroes from previous seasons that are still available and choose winners and honorable mentions for each category.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for 国产吃瓜黑料. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa鈥檚 written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the shoes and gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner鈥檚 World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running鈥攔eally running鈥攁fter walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She鈥檚 happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt鈥ut is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn鈥檛 Suck: How to Love Running (Even if You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he鈥檚 determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master鈥檚 circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he鈥檚 tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, Runner鈥檚 World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners鈥� to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

One of Cory Smith鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner鈥檚 World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century鈥攁nd a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the 鈥�70s鈥攈e鈥檚 given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume and slowed his pace鈥攂ut he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book which explores how each individual鈥檚 gait鈥攁nd thus shoe preference鈥攊s unique. He enjoys getting scientists鈥� take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe鈥檚 ride.

One of Jonathan Beverly鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

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